UK arms sales to the Saudi Arabian National Guard

The UK has had a long relationship with the Saudi Arabian National Guard. The Saudi Arabian National Guard is Saudi Arabia’s second army. In the 1960s its principal purpose was to safeguard the regime and ensure the continued rule of the Saudi Royal Family against a possible coup attempt by other parts of the Saudi Armed Forces. It has been commanded since 1962 by Prince Abdullah, who became King of Saudi Arabia in 2005.

The British Military Mission to the National Guard, which began in 1963 and continues to this day, according to documents at The National Archives in Kew had four basic objectives among which were to prop up the Saudi regime and to fill an “intelligence gap”. Today, according to MoD letters sent to CAAT, the British Military Mission’s “objectives are to build SANG capacity for Internal Security”.

The UK was heavily involved in trying to sell arms to the National Guard. The negotiations were replete with dubious practices, some of which are already in the public domain – see Guardian, 24th January 2006 and and the CAAT website.

The judgment

On 22nd October 2008 the Information Tribunal upheld the appeal. In their judgment, the Tribunal members ruled that the prejudice to International Relations and UK Interests abroad that would be caused by the release of the documents was outweighed by the public interest in releasing those of them where "the activities of UK officials in the sale of arms and services are concerned with reference particularly to the payment and negotiation of commissions and employment of agents".

Documents

Original decisions made by the Information Commissioner - first, second, and third.

Opening argument of Nicholas Gilby
Skeleton argument of Nicholas Gilby
Witness statement of Nicholas Gilby
Supplementary witness statement of Nicholas Gilby
Witness statement of Joe Roeber
Witness statement of Carne Ross
Closing argument of Nicholas Gilby

Skeleton argument of FCO
Skeleton argument of Information Commissioner
Open witness statement of William Patey
- Open exhibit WP1

last updated: 31st October 2008