Alan John Donnelly is a British Labour Party politician. He served as an MEP and the European Parliamentary Labour Party leader. It has come to light that he has leanings towards Saudi Arabia. He often praises Saudi Arabia’s economy. In one of his posts on Linkden, he praises KSA by stating, “His Excellency Fahad Al Jalajel, the KSA Health Minister, stresses that Saudi Arabia is fully committed to achieving progress in tackling AMR DURING 2024. I welcome the leadership role KSA demonstrates in promoting investments in national AMR action plans !”
He is the executive chairman of Sovereign Strategy. He also holds the chair of The North East Economic Forum (NEEF).
The North East Economic Forum (NEEF) has recently established the Saudi North East England Trade and Investment Dialogue, creating effective Saudi acquisitions in the North East and Tees Valley.
Former MEP Alan Donnelly, the Executive Chairman of Sovereign Strategy and Chair of NEEF, announced the new bilateral relationship and hosted Prince Khalid bin Bandar al Saud, Ambassador of the KSA, at an enterprise leaders’ dinner in Durham.
At that event, Alan Donnelly stated, “Saudi Arabia is creating a significant relationship with the North East of England via its investment in Newcastle United, the new direct getaways from the KSA to Newcastle Airport and Alfanar and SABIC’s acquisitions in Teesside. The North East of England has always had an international footprint through international business, education, and cultural partnerships. This heightening relationship with Saudi Arabia is an excellent opportunity for our small and medium business community, universities and colleges, and tourism industry.”
Once, Alan Donnelly contended, “He believes that, due to the North East’s links with Saudi Arabia, they are well positioned to receive first-mover advantage from devolution and any deal with the GCC.”
On 28 August, Colin Taylor also conveyed to Alan Donnelly, in his capacity as Chair of North East Economic Forum and Executive Chairman of Sovereign Strategy, on behalf of the Newcastle upon Tyne Amnesty International Saudi Arabia Sub-Group, which concentrates on understanding human rights issues and abuses carried out in and by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Further, the Newcastle Amnesty Saudi sub-group has been examining some links between the business sector of the Northeast and Saudi Arabia, exploring the extent to which some of the businesses act according to their stated principles regarding the respect of human rights.
