US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox have pulled out of an investment conference in Saudi Arabia.

Their move comes amid allegations the country was behind the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.


Mr Khashoggi has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October, where Turkish officials allege he was murdered.


Saudi Arabia, which denies the killing, allowed investigators inside overnight.


The Dutch and French finance ministers, as well as several other politicians and business leaders, have also said they are pulling out of the summit.


However, a number of major businesses - including Goldman Sachs, Pepsi and EDF - are still intending to go despite growing pressure for a boycott.


Mr Mnuchin announced he would pull out of the summit following a discussion with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.


Mr Pompeo went to Riyadh earlier this week to discuss the disappearance with Saudi King Salman.


He said he had been assured that Saudi Arabia would investigate the matter, and that he had told Mr Trump to give the country "a few more days" before deciding whether to take action.





BBC     News.