The family of British businessman Rami Naimi, whom they allege was abducted and tortured by Saudi authorities, has condemned Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s approval of military assistance to Saudi Arabia. They say Britain should have used the agreement to seek Naimi’s release and reunification with his family, describing the decision as a missed opportunity and “moral misstep”.

Naimi was detained during Saudi Arabia’s 2017 Ritz-Carlton purge of political, royal and business figures, and his family says he has since faced abuse, arbitrary detention and prolonged isolation. The assistance will involve RAF air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi aircraft countering drones and missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen; the family and its legal counsel are urging the Government to make his freedom a priority in negotiations.