MPs slam PM's death trip to Middle East

Mr Cameron is on a three-day trip to sell Typhoon jets and a host of weaponry to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the explosive region.

His talks with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and United Arab Emirates (UAE) prime minister are part of a plan for joint production of a new generation of military aerospace equipment.

The government is also preparing to station some of its own Typhoon jets at an airbase in Abu Dhabi as part of a "long-term strategic defence partnership" with the UAE.

Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn warned: "With the danger of war with Iran coming ever closer, the last thing we need is more western interference in the area.

"We need human rights and democracy, not munitions and profits for Cameron's friends."

Mr Corbyn complained that the Saudi regime was "in a class of its own where denial of human rights and free speech are concerned" and challenged the PM to raise the issue.

Newport West Labour MP Paul Flynn said it was "alarming" that Mr Cameron was seeking arms deals in an area with the greatest risk of new wars breaking out.

Mr Flynn condemned the "Siamese twins" of the British military and the arms manufacturers who had a vested interest in wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan and the prospect of war with Iran.

He pointed out that no fewer than 3,500 former military personnel were now working in the arms industry.

A spokesman for Mr Cameron refused to say today whether the PM would be raising specific human rights issues during his three-day trip.

"On the subject of human rights and human rights abuses, these are issues which we constantly raise with other countries where we think that there is a need to do so," he said.

Britain observed "tough rules" on defence exports, he claimed.

The PM was lending his personal support "to try and further the interests of our export companies."