Theresa May Calls for “Truth” Over Murder of Jamal Khashoggi

May’s speech came a day before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to reveal the “naked truth”.

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May

(Photo: Associated Press)

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday, 22 October, called for the "truth" over the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.

I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in the strongest possible terms. We must get to the truth of what happened.

Theresa May to The Parliament

May was the first European leader to address the issue after Saudi Arabia on Saturday, admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate in what it said was a "brawl".

May’s speech came a day before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to address ruling party lawmakers in an address he has vowed will reveal the "naked truth" about the case.

Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate on 2 October and Riyadh initially said that he had left and was missing. Saudi authorities later admitted he was killed in the building and 18 Saudi nationals had been detained.

In a joint statement, Britain, France and Germany on Sunday, 21 October, said Riyadh must clarify how Khashoggi died and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible".