Intervenes to question the Government's use of diplomatic protection for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe without asserting consular access or challenging Iran at the International Court of Justice. Asks if the Government risks undermining UK’s diplomatic protections by not utilising them effectively.

Expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss important issues and highlighted the case of Dr Ding Col Dau Ding, a British citizen who died in South Sudan in 2015. Emphasised the need for justice and answers for Dr Ding’s family and friends, seeking renewed vigour from the government.

Acknowledged the importance of cross-party discussion on this issue. Shared his constituent's experience with a murder case in Thailand, criticising the Foreign Office for offering false help by providing lists of lawyers who were either unresponsive or out-of-reach financially. Demanded updates to systems and processes to better support families experiencing such tragedies abroad.

Commemorates the hon. Member for Livingston for her contribution and shares a personal story about a constituent who faced difficulties after his father's death in Spain due to lack of clear guidance from the British consulate. He emphasises the need for better-defined roles within the consular service, trained staff capable of handling such crises, and support through charitable organisations when necessary. Advocates for improved communication pathways, including answering machines or automated systems to provide initial assistance during off-hours. Highlights the emotional toll on both constituents and parliamentary staff who deal with these cases. Requests counselling services for staff dealing with trauma-related issues and seeks assurance from the government that UK citizens will receive adequate support regardless of the circumstances.

I congratulate my hon. Friend for the immense work they have done on behalf of the all-party group on deaths abroad, consular services and assistance. I specifically concentrate on the cases of Lisa Brown, believed murdered in Spain, and Jagtar Singh Johal, arbitrarily detained in India for four years. The FCDO has failed to provide appropriate support due to a lack of political leadership and frequent changes in staff during the last four years. There is a need to enshrine the right to consular assistance in law, improve targeted assessments of who gets help, publish an introductory range of basic assistance online, conduct timely reviews of local legal representatives and translation services, provide substantial budgetary increase for consular support teams, and ensure better communication with hotspots like Spain where many UK tourists travel.

My hon. Friend’s point about tourism hotspots is really important. We met the ambassador and staff in Madrid who could see the value and opportunity in improving services and communication for British tourists, especially those travelling to Spain.

Expressed delight in contributing to the debate, acknowledged the work of other Members regarding consular services and assistance. Highlighted the moral duty of the Government to support UK citizens abroad, particularly during crises. Criticised the FCDO’s slow response during the pandemic and its failure to provide clear advice and timely financial support. Questioned the Minister on the legal position of what a British citizen can expect from the FCDO and whether there is a case for developing a legal right for constituents to expect a level of service when abroad. Emphasised the importance of parliamentary staff, especially during crises, and referenced Rafael Behr's commentary suggesting that responsibility should come before the thrill of power.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s role supporting British nationals overseas is an essential public service. Over the past decade, we have regularly reviewed and sought to improve the professionalism, scope and form of our services in line with the Vienna convention on consular relations by comparing our consular services with those provided by comparable countries. At the recent spending review, the Foreign Secretary identified consular services as one of our four key priorities. We are committed to providing a modern, round-the-clock service, including a wide choice of digital services. Our service will continue to provide empathetic support to meet the needs of vulnerable British people and their families. At the same time, it will help British people living and travelling abroad to take responsibility for their own safety and will strengthen the resilience of our consular network and its ability to respond to global crises. When British nationals need assistance overseas, our highly trained consular staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our service supports more than 20,000 new consular cases annually, including 4,000 deaths and between 40 and 60 homicides, as well as providing non-judgmental support for the approximately 5,000 British nationals arrested or detained overseas each year. We track and review the quality of our services through both qualitative and quantitative measures. The most recent overall satisfaction score remained at over 80%. Our consular staff have detailed knowledge of their country and region and can provide information and support to help families navigate local processes, including providing advice on local burial and cremation options or transporting the body and personal belongings back to the UK.

Asked for reassurance that the FCDO is doing everything in its power to assist her constituents, Mr Albert Douglas and Mr Billy Hood, who are imprisoned in the UAE, and treating their cases as a top priority.

Asked for clarity on whether there is a precedent of successfully petitioning the Attorney General of Thailand to reopen a case. He also invited the Minister to meet him and his constituent.

Suggested that cases involving lost passports should be separated from difficult casework in statistics for greater clarity. Also questioned why the UK Government has not put pressure on foreign authorities to investigate crimes abroad, given precedents set in high-profile cases.

Asked about ensuring advice is available for constituents following the death of a loved one overseas.

Suggested that clarity on the basics of what the consular service can do should be made publicly available and regularly reviewed. Also questioned why the Government will not agree that Jagtar Singh Johal is being arbitrarily detained by India.

Expresses gratitude towards other Members who spoke, acknowledges the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and expresses concern over the Minister's lack of understanding regarding the gravity of the issues faced by families. She highlights failures in sharing local staff experience and providing consistent 24/7 support as claimed by the FCDO. Emphasises that the UK has an opportunity to lead on this issue but is falling behind, especially post-Brexit.