The Guardian view on Saudi Arabia and the west: don’t count on Riyadh | Editorial

The UK has invited Mohammed bin Salman for an official visit. Relying on the kingdom for energy or regional stability is a grave error

Five years ago, Jeremy Hunt, then foreign secretary, echoed the widely voiced horror at the murder of the Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. He promised that Britain's response would depend upon our confidence that such an appalling episode cannot - and will not - be repeated".

The UK has now invited Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, whom the CIA believe approved the murder despite his denials, for an official visit. His rehabilitation was already under way when Joe Biden fistbumped him a year ago, and Britain, which has profited richly from Saudi arms sales, is hungrier than ever for trade and investment.