It was Britain’s biggest trade delegation in a decade, and the conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, began with a performance of Scotland the Brave, by the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Half way through, a local flute and drum group joined them on stage for a discordant mash-up, strong on wailing.
The migraine-inducing spectacle was followed by Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, starting his speech to Saudi ministers and hundreds of British trade representatives on a flat note. In the run-up to the world championship boxing match, when Tyson Fury, perhaps Britain’s most popular export in the kingdom, fought Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine in Riyadh on Saturday night, Dowden allowed himself a quip.
“Well I know that there is huge excitement
Loading Title...
Loading offer 1...
