Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Jim Fitton: Detention in Iraq

11 May 2022 · 12 other contributors

Opened by James Cleverly Con Braintree

ImmigrationForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

James Cleverly raised concerns about jim fitton: detention in iraq in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Consular officials have been in contact with Mr Fitton and his family since March, including four visits to Mr Fitton.
  • The British ambassador has raised Mr Fitton's case multiple times with Iraqi authorities and will continue to do so.
  • The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all instances.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

James Cleverly

The Minister reassures the House that consular officials have been maintaining contact with Mr Fitton and his family since March, including four visits to Mr Fitton. He emphasises that despite their best efforts to support him, the UK Government cannot interfere in Iraq's judicial process. The British ambassador has raised the case multiple times with Iraqi authorities and will continue to do so. The Minister also underscores the UK’s opposition to the death penalty in all instances.

Other contributors (12)
  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    Question

    The MP is concerned about slow engagement from the Foreign Office, lack of meetings with Mr Fitton's family, and why UK is not making representations to Iraqi authorities like Germany for their nationals. She asks for commitment to meeting her and Jim’s family before trial.

    Minister reply

    Minister rejects assertions about government role in case and provides detailed timeline of consular activity since Mr Fitton’s arrest. He commits to continuing engagement with the Iraqi Government, supporting legal representation for Mr Fitton.

  • James Grey

    Question

    MP expresses support for consular service despite not being his constituent. He asks Minister to commit to doing whatever possible through consular service including providing English-speaking lawyers and support to mitigate the sentence.

    Minister reply

    Minister thanks MP for kind remarks about Foreign Office's consular team, assures ongoing work with Iraqi Government on case, commits to helping Mr Fitton’s family secure legal representation, including English-speaking counsel.

  • Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green

    Question

    Congratulates the hon. Member for Bath on securing this urgent question and expresses concern over Mr Jim Fitton's detention in Iraq. Asks what efforts FCDO is urgently taking on behalf of Mr Fitton to secure legal representation, engage with his family, and prevent wrongful detainment of British citizens abroad.

    Minister reply

    FCDO visited Mr Fitton three times since his arrest on 21 March and interacted with the Iraqi Government more than weekly. The UK respects Iraq's judicial system but will continue to support Mr Fitton in his legal defence and engage with his family.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

    Question

    Compares the UK's approach to Germany's involvement at ministerial level, questioning the mechanics of Iraq's criminal justice system.

    Minister reply

    The UK has a close relationship with Iraq and engages intensively to ensure Mr Fitton receives a fair trial and good legal representation.

  • Chris Law SNP Dundee Central

    Question

    Welcomes the urgent question but criticises FCDO's lack of intervention, urging immediate action to prevent death penalty for artefact removal.

    Minister reply

    FCDO is deeply engaged with Mr Fitton’s case and continues to support him without interfering in Iraq's legal system.

  • Neale Hanvey

    Question

    Expresses solidarity with Jim Fitton’s family, criticises the lack of response from FCDO despite urgency and requests a single point of contact.

    Minister reply

    The consular team has engaged regularly with Mr Fitton since his arrest and continues to provide support without interference.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Asks about steps taken to assess Jim's conditions in detention and efforts for securing his release.

    Minister reply

    Regular visits ensure humane conditions, advice on remand system and welfare services are provided, and English language representation is ensured.

  • Margaret Ferrier

    Question

    Asks what constructive action the Government can take to secure Jim’s safe release or at least remove the threat of death penalty.

    Minister reply

    UK opposes the imposition of the death penalty generally and ensures Mr Fitton receives appropriate legal representation.

  • Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon

    Question

    Questions why supportive letters from the Minister were not provided when requested, despite regular consular visits.

    Minister reply

    FCDO applies technical expertise to problems like this, with ambassadorial team in Baghdad and consular team here in the UK.

  • Jonathan Edwards PC Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

    Question

    The Minister mentioned in an earlier answer that there was a direct line for the family to contact officials. Will he confirm that that is an open line for the family to contact whenever they seek reassurance, as opposed to a line of reporting back on the Government’s actions?

    Minister reply

    As I have highlighted, our consular team are in regular contact with the family and had a meeting with them just today. I have no doubt that our team will continue to work with them. We recognise just how concerning this situation is and how fearful they will be because of these circumstances. Our consular team are experts in dealing with families in circumstances such as these, and I have no doubt that they will continue to liaise closely with Mr Fitton’s family.

  • Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens

    Question

    Mr Fitton is clearly not my constituent, but his former colleague Mark Smith is, and Mr Smith is bereft at his plight. Will the Minister impress on the Iraqi authorities the fact that Mr Fitton is far from some profiteering treasure hunter but is instead a deeply respectful accredited academic who would never disrespect Iraq or its artefacts? Will the Minister confirm that the Government will use all channels to try to impress on the Iraqi authorities the need for the most expedient and increased leniency in this case?

    Minister reply

    I assure the hon. Gentleman that the UK Government, at every level, always seek to take the actions that we believe will best benefit British nationals overseas. I assure him that the level of engagement I have outlined in my answers will set the pattern for our continued engagement. We will of course seek to ensure that the legal process is conducted absolutely properly and that we support Mr Fitton and his family through our consular services throughout this incredibly concerning process.

Shadow Comment

Wera Hobhouse

The shadow minister expresses deep concern over the Foreign Office's engagement, noting slow response times and a lack of meetings with Mr Fitton’s family. She questions why representations are not being made to Iraqi authorities as German counterparts are for their nationals detained alongside Mr Fitton. She urges the Minister to meet her and Jim’s family before trial and commit to making critical representations.

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