Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, continued talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman even after the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was ambushed and dismembered by Saudi agents in Istanbul, The New York Times said in a report.
As the killing set off a firestorm around the world and American intelligence agencies concluded that it was ordered by Prince Mohammed, Kushner became the Prince's most important defender inside the White House, The Times quoted informed sources as saying in the report issued on Saturday.
Since the early months of the Trump administration, Kushner had been having private, informal conversations with the Prince.
Given Kushner's political inexperience, the private exchanges could make him susceptible to Saudi manipulation, said three former White House officials.
In an effort to tighten practices at the White House, a new Chief of Staff tried to reimpose longstanding procedures stipulating that National Security Council staff members should participate in all calls with foreign leaders.