SUBC: Saudi Tip-Off Saved British Lives Says PM

Britain's relationship with Saudi Arabia has saved hundreds of lives, David Cameron has told young people taking part in Sky's #AskTheLeaders event.

Young voters attacked David Cameron over the Government's decision to fly flags at half-mast following the death of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz last month.

The Prime Minister faced tough questions about the tribute from young people during the Stand Up Be Counted : Ask The Leaders session, which was hosted by Sky News and Facebook.

Mr Cameron told one of the questioners Franchesca Hashemi: "I can tell you one time since I've been Prime Minister a piece of information that we've been given by that country has saved potentially hundreds of lives here in Britain."

Franchesca had asked Mr Cameron: "Why did Britain fly the Saudi flag at half-mast if the country has such an appalling human rights record?"

Mr Cameron replied: "We don't agree with lots of things that the Saudis do. We don't agree with the way they treat people, for instance criminals. We make clear those differences.

"But when the King died, as a mark of respect, we thought it was right to show that respect."

King Abdullah died at the age of 90 after almost two decades leading the oil-rich country .

Downing Street and Whitehall buildings, including Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, were instructed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to fly the Union Flag at half-mast for 12 hours in tribute.

At the time, Mr Cameron said he was "deeply saddened" by the death and Prince Charles set off for Riyadh to pay his respects on behalf of the Queen.

One member of the audience asked Mr Cameron if Britain's relationship with Saudi Arabia had anything to do with oil.

The Prime Minister responded: "Yes, of course."

He added: "Britain needs to have relationships with countries that we trade with, including those that we buy oil and gas from.

"Indeed, I would argue if you have a relationship with them and have a way of talking to them, they're more likely to listen to you."

Mr Cameron was also questioned during today's event about zero-hours contracts and the housing crisis.

He was the final political party leader to take the stage at the event before an audience of young people.

Mr Cameron said he did not believe zero-hours contracts should be abolished, but added there are "some zero-hours contracts where people are abused".

"In this economy we have seen 1.75 million more getting work since I became Prime Minister," he said.

"There are some contracts where people are abused. We've said these zero-hours contracts, where companies can effectively forbid you working for anybody else, we say that is wrong and we've legislated to stop that.

"Some people value flexible contracts, some individuals value it, businesses and others value it.

"I don't think it's right to ban the contracts, but it's right to ban the abuse and that's what we've done."

The Stand Up Be Counted : Ask The Leaders event gave youth a chance to quiz Westminster politicians about their concerns.

Tuition fees, the housing crisis, transportation, the National Health Service and apprenticeships emerged as major issues for young people across the country.

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett , Labour's Ed Miliband and the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg earlier addressed the live audience of people aged under 25.

The Stand Up Be Counted event was held just three months before a General Election in which social media could play a decisive role for the first time.

In a campaign currently seen as too close to call by most experts, the winner could be the party that best gets to grips with new opportunities to speak to voters.

Interaction with voters on social networks is soaring, with data reflecting the seismic changes taking place in British politics.

The coverage was streamed on the SUBC Facebook page, the Sky News Facebook page, the Sky News YouTube channel, on skynews.com and our mobile apps.

Send your reactions and comments - just use #AskTheLeaders.