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May Still Refuses To Publish Report on Saudi Funding UK Extremists

May Still Refuses To Publish Report on Saudi Funding UK Extremists
folder_openUnited Kingdom access_time6 years ago
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Local Editor

British Prime Minister Theresa May was accused of burying a report about the Saudi funding of extremism in the UK for fear it may damage relations with their ally.

May Still Refuses To Publish Report on Saudi Funding UK Extremists
 
The report, which was originally commissioned by David Cameron in January last year, was due to be completed by last Easter and is believed to have been in May's possession for at least six months.

The study, which began while May was still Home Secretary, was designed to examine the origins and scale of funding of terror groups in the UK with an additional remit to follow international funding streams.

It is believed the report was commissioned as part of a deal struck with the Liberal Democrats to gain their support for British airstrikes against Syria in December 2015.

In response to a parliamentary question, May said: "The review into the funding of extremism has improved the Government's understanding of the nature, scale and sources of funding for extremism in the UK.

"Ministers are considering advice on what is able to be published and will report to Parliament with an update in due course."

Last month, a spokesman for the Home Office admitted to The Guardian that the report may never be published as its contents were "very sensitive".

Since coming to power in July last year May has the conservative kingdom, which is one of the main buyers of UK-made arms.

Earlier this year, the Government approved £3.5bn-worth of arms exports licenses to the Gulf state.

Several British ministers visited Saudi Arabia over the last year to cultivate trading relationships as the UK looks for post-Brexit trading partners and the kingdom, under new Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, is trying to diversify its economy away from oil.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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