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Iran Detainees
16 March 2022
Lead MP
Elizabeth Truss
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
DefenceForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 46
At a Glance
Elizabeth Truss raised concerns about iran detainees in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss announced the release of three detained British nationals, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Anoosheh Ashoori and Morad Tahbaz from Iran. She emphasised that this was a result of years of diplomatic efforts and recent intensive negotiations leading to their freedom. Additionally, she informed the House about the repayment of a 40-year-old debt between International Military Services (IMS) and the Iranian Ministry of Defence for £393.8 million in full compliance with UK sanctions.
David Lammy
Lab
Tottenham
MP David Lammy welcomed the release of detained British nationals, acknowledging the efforts of families and campaigners like Tulip Siddiq and Janet Daby. He also expressed the need for a review to understand delays in securing releases and asked about steps for Morad Tahbaz's permanent freedom and support for other detainees still held.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
Expresses gratitude for the release of British citizens detained in Iran and raises concerns about past ransom payments to Iran leading to further hostage-taking. Also questions if warnings will be issued to future visitors about the dangers of visiting Iran.
Acknowledges the settlement of IMS debt and the release of British detainees as separate but parallel issues. Emphasises working with international partners to end arbitrary detention practices, highlighting efforts within the G7 Foreign Ministers track.
Congratulates the Government on securing the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and others, but raises concerns about moral hazard for British citizens visiting Iran. Also questions how many dual nationals are in similar situations elsewhere.
Reiterates commitment to ending arbitrary detention through international collaboration and highlights the work being done within the G7 framework, particularly with Canada's leadership.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
Compliments the Foreign Secretary for her leadership in securing the release of British detainees from Iran. Questions if there is a way to unite democratic countries to address hostage-taking practices akin to how they united against Ukraine.
Pays tribute to Richard Ratcliffe and other families, acknowledging the difficult diplomatic challenge in securing release. Highlights the work done with allies on sanctions and aid supply as a model for addressing hostage-taking practices elsewhere.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Celebrates the release of Anoosheh Ashoori, expressing happiness for his family and condemning the heartache caused by his detention. Asks why it took so long to secure their release.
Acknowledges the tireless campaigning of Janet Daby on behalf of Anoosheh Ashoori and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, emphasising the dedication of Foreign Office officials in securing their release despite challenging circumstances.
Pays tribute to Morad Tahbaz's family for his continued detention. Asks if she and her team will continue working with the US to ensure his return from Iran, and seeks clarity on what it means for him to be on furlough.
Provides updates on Morad Tahbaz's situation, confirming that he has returned home to Tehran but emphasises ongoing efforts with the US and other allies to ensure his return to the UK.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Expresses joy at the release of British citizens, questioning if the £400 million paid for IMS debt will count towards official development assistance spend. Acknowledges emotional impact on families.
Reassures Layla Moran that the payment is from the Ministry of Defence and not part of ODA spending, stressing its humanitarian purposes.
Richard Graham
Con
Nottingham East
Asked the Foreign Secretary to confirm whether there are any lessons that need to be learned about dual nationals and travel advice, especially for other British detainees in Iran.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Expressed gratitude towards the Foreign Secretary, Minister for Europe and North America, FCO officials, NGOs and individuals who worked tirelessly to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Emphasised Richard Ratcliffe's relentless campaigning and requested an update on Morad Tahbaz’s situation.
Robert Buckland
Con
South Swindon
Congratulated the Foreign Secretary, Minister for Europe and North America, and team at the Foreign Office for their hard work. Asked if adherence to international rules-based system would impact efforts to defend against arbitrary detention.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall and Bloxwich
Expressed gratitude towards the Foreign Secretary, Minister for Europe and North America, and FCO officials for their work. Mentioned the delight of Ratcliffe family on Nazanin's release and asked for efforts to be made for Morad Tahbaz’s return and Mehran Raoof's situation.
South Ribble
Congratulated the Foreign Secretary and her team for their work on resolving issues with Iran. Mentioned constituents’ urge to see every effort made towards the release of detainees.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Complimented the Foreign Secretary’s tenacity in resolving Iranian detainee issues and hoped for similar efforts towards Northern Ireland protocol. Questioned if linking payment to release could set a bad precedent with criminal regimes.
Theo Clarke
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
Congratulated the Foreign Secretary on the detainee releases and inquired about ongoing support for other British nationals in Iran.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Welcomed the news of detainees’ release, asked about Morad Tahbaz's situation, and enquired about efforts to secure Mehran Raoof’s release. Asked if there would be a robust human rights dialogue with Iran.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Mentioned the Omani Government's role in mediating the release and expressed concerns about future dual nationals being detained. He highlighted the need for assurances against further detentions.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Expressed gratitude for the resolution but raised questions about future steps to prevent similar hostage-taking scenarios, emphasising international collaboration with G7 countries.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Paid tribute to the Foreign Secretary's efforts and suggested that sanctions have significant consequences for regimes engaging in such practices, using Russia as an example.
Questioned why it took so long to resolve the issue, advocating for quicker action in future similar cases involving British nationals detained abroad.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Expressed appreciation for the Foreign Secretary's work and raised concerns about the misuse of humanitarian aid funds. Also mentioned Libya as another area needing attention.
Ellie Reeves
Lab
Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Acknowledged the joy in her constituents at the resolution but stressed the need for lessons to be learned to prevent such prolonged separations of families in future cases.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Paid tribute to Richard Ratcliffe's efforts and emphasised the importance of swift action against states that violate international law, including through sanctions.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
While celebrating the resolution, questioned whether all detained individuals will now receive similar attention and leverage for their release from Iran.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Commemorated the efforts of ordinary British people in keeping pressure on MPs to address the issue effectively over the years.
Elizabeth Truss
Con
Norfolk Eastern
Emphasised the public's concern and support for families of detained British citizens in Iran, highlighted the successful resolution involving debt repayment to secure their release. Discussed ongoing efforts with international partners to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and improve relations.
Chris Matheson
Lab
Cardiff South and Penarth
Congratulated the Foreign Secretary for her work in securing the release of British citizens detained in Iran, expressed hope for improved long-term relationships with Iran.
Flick Drummond
Con
Hertford and Stortford
Complimented the Foreign Secretary on prioritising the issue of detaining British citizens in Iran, thanked Richard Ratcliffe for his campaigning work, asked about potential long-term relations with Iran.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Praised the Foreign Secretary's words on arbitrary detention but questioned if similar vigour would be applied to human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.
Rob Butler
Con
Aylesbury
Asked for reassurance that £400 million paid to Iran was legitimate and not a ransom, acknowledged the long-term suffering of families involved.
Wayne David
Lab
Caerphilly
Praised the Foreign Secretary's work in securing the release of detained British citizens and thanked Oman for its role in facilitating the process.
Scott Benton
Con
High Peak
Asked about steps being taken to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, acknowledged Iran’s threat to British interests.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Commended the Foreign Secretary's efforts in securing the release of detained citizens but raised concerns over state-funded propaganda by Press TV and Russia Today.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Celebrated the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, asked for lessons to be learned to prevent such cases in future.
Martin Docherty
SNP
West Dunbartonshire
Congratulated the Foreign Secretary and parliamentary representatives on their efforts, suggested meeting to understand issues of arbitrary detention in other states.
Mike Kane
Lab
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Commends the Foreign Secretary, her Ministers, and their Department for their work on releasing dual nationals from Iran but expresses concern about a lack of briefing and scrutiny.
Responds to concerns by stating that the deal's confidentiality was part of careful negotiations over six months. Offers to discuss arbitrary detention issues further with allies and partners.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Welcomes the release of dual nationals from Iran but asks how the Government will learn lessons from these cases, particularly in terms of consular services for UK nationals and their families.
Acknowledges good consular work done in recent cases and emphasises ongoing efforts with allies to address arbitrary detention issues globally.
Angela Rayner
Lab
Ashton-under-Lyne
Raises a point of order regarding the Deputy Prime Minister's response about intelligence assessments on Lord Lebedev, demanding correction if there was an inadvertent error according to ministerial code requirements.
Responds that it is up to Ministers to correct any inaccuracies in their statements and encourages further pursuit of the matter by Labour MPs.
Government Response
Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss detailed the reset of diplomatic relations with Iran since September, noting efforts to secure the release of Morad Tahbaz on furlough. She confirmed that humanitarian guarantees were in place for the use of IMS debt repayment funds but declined to specify due to confidentiality. Responded to various questions expressing gratitude towards contributors, confirmed ongoing support for other British nationals in Iran, and mentioned efforts made to secure the release of Morad Tahbaz. Affirms confidentiality agreement during negotiations, offers to discuss arbitrary detention issues with allies.
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