We have both proudly served Her Majesty’s government — one of us as an army officer and defence attaché to the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the other as a lawyer advising successive foreign secretaries on arms exports to Saudi Arabia. We did not undertake this work with illusions about the reality and cost of armed conflict. We did however work on the understanding that the relevant law — including in the Geneva Conventions and long-standing rules on arms exports — would be adhered to by our government.
But that is not currently the case, and we are shocked at the British government’s conduct when it comes to arms sales. It is no surprise to see attempts at a second judicial review (the first successfully halted exports in 2019, before the government resumed sales last year). And now, anticipating the High Court decision on permission imminently, we consider it a matter of moral obligation that we make our concerns public.
In our view, the export of weapons from Britain is demonstrably illegal
Why are we so concerned about arms exports to Saudi Arabia? In short, an export license is required by anyone British, or in Britain, who wants to export arms.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in