THE SNP have demanded that the UK’s International Trade Secretary resign after she revealed further arms deal breaches linked to Saudi Arabia and the conflict in Yemen.
Liz Truss told MPs an internal review of all licences granted for Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners since June 20 is ongoing but has so far identified one further breach.
She added a review of the composition of the coalition has identified a further licence breach.
Responding to an urgent question in the Commons, the Tory minister said it is "possible that more cases will come to light" after announcing an independent investigation has been commissioned.
The SNP’s Chris Law said it was a "shocking revelation that two further export licences would be breaking the law and further may yet be discovered".
The Dundee West MP continued: "The process which led to these licences being granted demonstrates the same carelessness and utter lack of regard for life that has defined the UK's arms sales to Saudi over these years."
Law called for the Government to rescind the "unlawfully granted export licences”, adding: "Does she take full responsibility for her department's unlawful award of arms export licences in contravention of the court of appeal and therefore will she do the right thing and resign?"
Earlier this month, the UK Government apologised to the Court of Appeal for two "inadvertent" breaches of an assurance it would not licence any more arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which could be used in the conflict in Yemen.
It was announced in June that the issuing of new licences for military exports to the country would be suspended.
The pause came while the Government considered the court's ruling that it had failed to assess whether the the Saudi-led coalition had violated international humanitarian law in the course of the Yemen conflict.
READ MORE: SNP MP hit out at UK government as Yemen crisis arms sales reach £6.2 billion
In the Commons, Truss explained details relating to the two initial breaches and told MPs it appeared "information pertaining to the conflict had not been fully shared across Government".
Explaining the new information which has emerged, she said: "As a result of the internal review so far, we have identified one further licence that has been granted in breach of the undertaking given to the Court of Appeal. This licence has not been used and has now been revoked.
"My officials are also carrying out an urgent review of the composition of the coalition. This has identified a further licence which is in breach of the parliamentary statement.
"We have reassessed the licence in light of the latest information and subsequently revoked it insofar as it applies to Jordan."
She added: "My officials are continuing to review all the information relating to licences granted to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners since June 20 2019.
"We will be open and transparent with the courts and Parliament as to any new information that emerges.
"In addition, the DIT permanent secretary has commissioned on my behalf a full independent investigation.
"This will establish the precise circumstances in which these licences were granted, establish whether any other licences have been granted in breach of the undertaking to the court or contrary to the parliamentary statement, and confirm that procedures are in place so no further breaches of the undertaking can occur."
"It is possible that more cases will come to light."
Andrew Smith, of the Campaign Against Arms Trade, called for an "immediate embargo" on all arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the wider coalition.
He said in a statement: "We are always being told how rigorous and robust arms export controls supposedly are, but this shows that nothing could be further from the truth.
"The system is clearly broken and unfit for purpose. This is symptomatic of a policy that puts arms sales ahead of human rights.
"Even if it was in error, it is clear that the Government can not be trusted to uphold the ruling of the Court of Appeal. There can be no more excuses.
"Tens of thousands of people have been killed in a war that has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world."
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