Ukraine war: UK to discuss oil stability with Saudi Arabia

The UK government is to discuss how to diversify energy supply following disruption caused by the war in Ukraine, Downing Street has said.

Petrol prices for UK drivers have reached record highs of more than £1.60 a litre in recent days.

The PM's spokesman said discussions with Saudi officials would look to tackle market volatility but there were no "quick fixes" available.

Eighty-one men were executed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

MPs will debate human rights in the country later, with Conservative Crispin Blunt asking Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to make a comment on the deaths.

Human rights organisations say many of those executed did not receive fair trials, but the Saudi government denies this.

The average price of petrol for UK drivers hit £1.63 a litre on Sunday, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine pushing up costs.

Asked whether the UK wanted Saudi Arabia - the world's second-biggest oil producer - to increase supplies, the prime minister's official 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."

Saudi Arabia says those executed on Saturday, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian national, had been convicted of "multiple heinous crimes", including terrorism, torture, rape and weapons smuggling.

The number put to death exceeded the 69 who faced that fate during the whole of 2021.

"The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty in every country as a matter of principle," the PM's spokesman said.

"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."