King Abdullah II of Saudi Arabia was greeted by jeers and placards as he began his state visit to Britain this afternoon as dozens of demonstrators turned out to protest at his country's human rights record.

About 50 human rights protestors and anti-arms trade activists mingled with the crowds lining The Mall as the monarch accompanied the Queen in a carriage on their way to Buckingham Palace.

King Abdullah’s visit has been shrouded in controversy over oppressive policies against women and gays in the Middle Eastern kingdom and the war on terror.

Protesters, including Peter Tatchell, the gay rights activist, chanted "King Abdullah, torturer, murderer" and held banners marked “Put human rights before BAe profits” and “You can’t do this in Riyadh” as the procession went past.

Courting compromise for the sake of stability

Britain has the unenviable role, at the US’s urging, of trying to sound out a compromise with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

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They were outnumbered by spectators and police who lined The Mall, the route the royal party took take to Horseguards Parade where the King inspected a guard of honour.

Symon Hill, of the Campaign Against The Arms Trade, said: “I think the visit sends the message that the UK Government isn’t concerned about human rights in Saudi Arabia. It also sends the message that the Government will put the arms trade and BAe ahead of human rights.”

He criticised Gordon Brown for condemning human rights abuses in Burma and Zimbabwe, but saying nothing about the Saudis. He said: “It’s hard to think Britain can have an influence in the world criticising Mugabe’s despotism if the Saudi dictator is welcomed to a banquet at Buckingham Palace.”

Among the Saudi delegation is Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the national security council chief, who is alleged to have received more than £1 billion in payments relating to British arms deals.

Hilary Evans, a teacher from Twickenham, said: "I'm shocked that we are honouring one of the world's nastiest dictators. I don't think they should be feted in this way."

Mary Holmes, 65, a retired district nurse from Twickenham, southwest London, said torture was a “state policy” in Saudi Arabia and Britain should not trade with such a “disgraceful regime”. She said: “A lot of people think that the arms industry is central to the British economy but only 2 per cent of our exports come from the arms industry. It’s really just a global trade now so people are mistaken in thinking BAe is a British firm.”

Amnesty International said that official Saudi figures show there are 3,000 political detainees held without trial in the Arab state. Kate Allen, British director of Amnesty, said that the Prime Minister should use the visit to address human rights issues. "Gordon Brown should use this meeting with the Saudi King to make absolutely clear that the extent and severity of human rights abuses in King Abdullah's country are totally unacceptable," she said. "Mr Brown's message should be: reforms need to come, and they need to come quickly."

The visit, the first by a Saudi ruler in more than 20 years, started badly when the King said that the Saudis had warned Britain over the July 7 bombings. He said agents had identified the al-Qaeda handlers behind the bombers and told their British counterparts - prompting a Foreign and Commonwealth Office denial.

Today research by the Policy Exchange found Saudi-funded extremist literature in one-quarter of religious outlets they surveyed. Last year the Government abandoned a Serious Fraud Office inquiry into alleged kickbacks paid in the multibillion pound al-Yamamah deal.

Tonight's state banquet will begin with fillets of sole with salmon mousse and butter sauce, followed by venison with stuffed tomatoes and braised lettuce. Vegetables will consist of chateau potatoes, broccoli in a hollandaise sauce, a panache of root vegetables and a salad of pears, walnuts and celery. Pudding is a raspberry shortbread tartlet.

The non-Muslim guests will be invited to drink Puligny-Montrachet, Les Champs Gain 2000, Bouchard Pere et Fils Chateau Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande 1986, and Bollinger Grande Annee 1996. The port will be Taylor's, 1977 vintage.

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