Sir Richard Branson labelled a hypocrite over support for Saudi tourism scheme

Campaigners say tycoon's plan to invest in luxury Red Sea project jars with previous criticism of Saudi Arabia's questionable human rights record

Sir Richard Branson has been accused of hypocrisy after investing in a luxury tourism project in Saudi Arabia despite his track record of speaking out against human rights abuses in the country.

The Virgin Group founder has backed a project to develop 50 islands over a 34,000 sq km (13,127 sq miles) stretch of the Red Sea, creating an estimated 35,000 jobs.