Cherie rounds on Saudi Arabia

Cherie Blair has risked offending Saudi Arabia by accusing the kingdom of treating women as second-class citizens.

The Prime Minister's wife also claimed the Saudis had an "appalling image" and said Islam was unfairly perceived as "backward looking".

Her remarks, at a House of Lords dinner to promote women in public life, were made in front of the Saudi ambassador to Britain, Prince Turki al Faisal.

Onlookers were surprised at her outspoken comments because Saudi Arabia is one of Britain's key allies in the Middle East and is notoriously sensitive to criticism.

Mrs Blair spoke immediately after a speech by Prince Turki and she was reported to have addressed her remarks about discrimination against women directly to him.

Turning to face the ambassador, she reportedly said: "I am so delighted that his Royal Highness came from Saudi Arabia because - as I said to your wife when I met her, sir - Saudi Arabia's image in the world is appalling, and we need to do something about that. We need to help you do something about that.

"Part of the reason it's appalling is the perception that you treat your women like they are not equals, but some sort of 'other'."

The ambassador said he was not offended "at all" by her remarks.

Mrs Blair, a practising Catholic, also criticised her own Church, saying: "Some of you know my own religion has not always been in the forefront of women's rights - and indeed still isn't, sadly."