David Cameron appeals to Saudi king not to withdraw ambassador

Diplomatic offensive comes after Britain scrapped a prison consultancy contract with the Saudi government

David Cameron was forced to personally intervene in international matters (Getty)

David Cameron was forced to personally intervene to reassure Saudi Arabia over fears Riyadh was about to withdraw its ambassador to London over criticism of its human rights record, according to a report.

The Prime Minister’s chief of staff sent a message to King Salman bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud, the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, went to Riyadh and there is also talk of Mr Cameron visiting the country before the end of this year, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The diplomatic offensive comes after the UK scrapped a prison consultancy contract with the Saudi government after Conservative and Labour politicians criticised the deal, particularly as a teenager who was arrested when he was 17 is currently facing execution after taking part in a protest by Shia Muslims.

A Whitehall source told the Telegraph: “It appears that the Saudis believe that they are being treated like a political football and had enough.

“It was only after the personal intervention of the Prime Minister that the situation has temporarily cooled but the Saudis want assurances.”

The Saudi ambassador was said to be ready to take a “leave of absence” from his role, temporarily at least, while his Government reviewed its relations with the UK.