Ruling prompts government to suspend new arms sales to Saudi Arabia while it urgently reviews its processes

• Long read: the UK’s true role in Yemen’s deadly war

British arms sales to Saudi Arabia have been declared unlawful by the court of appeal because ministers failed to properly assess their contribution to civilian casualties in indiscriminate bombing in Yemen.

The unexpected ruling has prompted the British government to suspend new arms sales to Saudi Arabia while it urgently reviews its processes – although Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, has said the government would also seek to appeal.