British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has paid a visit to Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to smooth relations.

Hammond's visit is expected to smooth ruffled feathers because Saudi Arabia is an enormously important partner for the UK in terms of trade, intelligence and defence.

Earlier this month, London cancelled a controversial £5.9m deal with Riyadh to provide it with "training needs analysis" for Saudi prison service staff.

In reaction, the Saudi ambassador to the UK warned there could be serious repercussions from what he called an "alarming change" in the UK's attitude. Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia would "not be lectured to by anyone".

Saudi Arabia has long been accused of human rights abuses but as analysts say the UK has never cut its relations with the country over the issue.

Earlier this month Amnesty International called on the UK to stop arms trading with Saudi Arabia after evidence emerged of widespread civilian casualties in Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.

Amnesty International said the “damning evidence of war crimes” should lead to an investigation into the bombing. According to the organization, an investigation into 13 Saudi airstrikes in Yemen between May and July showed that they killed 100 civilians and injured more than 60 others.

Meanwhile, the son of a British old man jailed in Saudi Arabia says the Foreign Office is allowing UK business interests to get the way of helping to free his father. Simon Andree’s father, Karl Andree, has been in prison in Saudi Arabia since August 2014. Simon says British diplomats are not seeking to put enough pressure on the Saudis because of concerns about damaging relations with the country.