AKIPRESS.COM - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said he takes "full responsibility" for the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi - but denies allegations that he ordered the killing, Sky News reports.

In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, the crown prince said that Mr Khashoggi's killing was a "heinous crime" and a "mistake" by agents of the Saudi government.

"But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government," Prince Mohammed said.

Asked if he ordered the murder of Mr Khashoggi, who had criticised him in columns for The Washington Post, Prince Mohammed replied: "Absolutely not."

Mr Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on 2 October 2018 to collect a document that he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, and never emerged. His body has never been found.

A UN report asserted Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for the killing and that the crown prince's possible role should be investigated.

Saudi Arabia has long insisted the crown prince had no involvement in an operation that included agents who reported directly to him.