The Foreign Office says the information could 'harm' the UK's relations with Saudi Arabia.
However, it declined to provide further details requested by the BBC, including a list of attendees and the full minutes.Newcastle United: Amanda Staveley arrives at St James' Park for the first time as co-owner
"This would reduce the UK government's ability to protect and promote UK interests through its relations with Saudi Arabia which would not be in the public interest." On Thursday, the Premier League approved the takeover of Newcastle United after receiving "legally binding" assurances that Saudi Arabia would not control the club.Eighty per cent of the funding for the deal will come from the Public Investment Fund which is seen as separate from the state, despite the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman acting as chair for the body.
The Saudi Arabian authorities have jailed women's rights activists and Western intelligence agencies believe the country's crown prince ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi - something he denies.Saudi Arabia is an important trade partner for the UK, who after the US is the second largest exporter of arms to Saudi Arabia.
An insider said the involvement of the Saudis made it "quite a difficult one" but the government wanted to "let the deal play out."
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