A Tory MP has been slammed for defending the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United football club despite after 81 men were executed in one day last week.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - of which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is chairman - owns an 80% stake of the consortium which owns the north east football club.
Foreign Office minister Amanda Milling told the Commons that PIF is a "significant investor" before adding: "We welcome the purchase of Newcastle United, a sign that the UK remains a great place to invest."
It comes as Boris Johnson is set to urge Saudi Arabia to pump more oil to help slash petrol prices in Britain.
The Prime Minister will reportedly jet to the Kingdom this week for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after a litre of unleaded surged through £1.60 - piling more costs on struggling motorists.
He hopes the royal will agree to increase oil supplies and ease world prices which have rocketed since Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: "We will be speaking to the Saudis about a range of issues, not just energy supply.
"Diversifying our energy supply is important, as is boosting renewable energy.
“There are no quick fixes but we do want to reduce the volatility and bring prices down."
The PM will also be under pressure to condemn Riyadh’s human rights record, after 81 men were executed in a single day last week.
Tory former minister Crispin Blunt warned Mr Johnson will face "exquisite difficulties" given he will arrive just days after the executions, and he pressed Mr Johnson to make clear Britain's concerns.
Mr Blunt said the execution of 81 men in a day - reported by the state-run Saudi Press Agency on March 12 - is "of profound concern" to the Commons and the country.
He told MPs: "This represents a new low for human rights and criminal justice in the kingdom, coming only a week after the Crown Prince had promised to modernise the Saudi justice system."
Amnesty International UK's foreign affairs human rights adviser Polly Truscott said: "The shocking news about mass executions in Saudi Arabia makes it more important than ever that the Prime Minister challenges the Saudi authorities over their absolutely appalling human rights record and that he speaks publicly about human rights during this trip.”
She added: "The key point is that Saudi oil shouldn't be allowed to buy the world's silence over Saudi Arabia's terrible human rights record."
The PM’s spokesman said: "The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty in every country as a matter of principle.
“We continue to raise human rights issues with other countries, including Saudi Arabia.
"We do not shy away from raising these issues with our partners."
Mr Johnson today met with bosses from firms in the UK's offshore oil and gas industry “to discuss the UK's energy security and investment in the North Sea”, No10 said.
But the PM’s "energy supply strategy" to help the UK cope with increased fuel prices has been delayed.
He pledged a long term plan “in the days ahead” on March 7.
But it is yet to be published and No10 yesterday would only say it was due "this month".
The PM’s spokesman said: “It’s important we take the time to get this right."
It is understood the blueprint will announce more renewable and nuclear power sources, while leaving the door open to fracking if the industry can offer new safety guarantees.
