A controversial report into Britain’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain has been accused of “pulling its punches” over the countries’ records on human rights.

While the report by the Commons foreign affairs committee, published today, accepts that there are concerns about the approach to civil liberties in the two Gulf states, it argues that they are also vitally important to Britain’s strategic and business interests and calls for ties to be strengthened.

The main problem, the MPs conclude, is negative perception of the relationship, both in the UK and in the region itself. They urge the British government to