
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband blasts 'stalling' government over Brit couple
For nearly six excruciating years, Richard Ratcliffe's wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, was held hostage in Iran. Arrested on false charges of espionage and plotting to topple the Iranian regime, the British-Iranian citizen became a diplomatic pawn between the UK and Iran.
Richard campaigned tirelessly to secure his wife's freedom, and reunite their family - with Nazanin cruelly separated from her daughter Gabriella when she was only a baby.
Richard, who has advised the family of the British couple Lindsay and Craig Foreman, who are currently detained in Iran, on their own campaign to help bring their parents home, told the Mirror that he believes the UK government has a "playbook of stalling" when it comes these cases.
He also added that the way the Foreman family had allegedly been treated before launching their public campaign was "depressing" and suggested the Foreign Office had learned few lessons from Nazanin's case, despite making "promises" to change their approach.
"I found it really alarming that in the six months since Craig and Lindsay were taken hostage, the family had not met the Foreign Secretary or any Minister, or even the Ambassador - and that only changed when they decided to go public," Richard said.
"It had been the same in Nazanin's case. So it was depressing to see none of the lessons from our had been learned, despite the Foreign Secretary's promises in the elections to transform consular protections."
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, and a spokesperson said to the Mirror in response to Richard's claims, "We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.
'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.'
Lindsay and Craig are believed to be held in Kerman Prison, but their family has had little contact, and distressingly, doesn't know very much about the conditions the couple is enduring.
The couple were arrested at the start of the year, whilst embarking on a motorbike trip from Spain to Australia, and undertaking a project about what makes a good life as they went, connecting with strangers and learning about communities.
They have been accused of espionage by the Iranian authorities, something their family has insisted is utterly false.
It was supposed to be the adventurous trip of a lifetime: but the couple suddenly went out of contact with their family as they were travelling through Iran - and never arrived at their hotel.
In early June, the Foremans were due to be transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran - where Nazanin was imprisoned between 2017 and her eventual release in 2022.
However, just weeks later, Is raeli strikes hit the infamous facility, and Lindsay and Craig's family had no idea if they were safe, or whether the planned transfer had even gone ahead. Through the Foreign Office, Iranian authorities have since said that the couple are in Kerman - but their four children spent weeks in an unbearable limbo, with no idea what was going on.
Richard told the Mirror he found it "really shocking" that the UK government had seemingly not stayed on top of the couple's whereabouts during the conflict.
"I was really shocked that the government had lost track of them in the middle of the Iran-Israel war, and had just closed the Embassy and not updated the family," the campaigner said.
"When Evin prison got bombed, the only thing that mattered was proof of life. Not a vague assurance from the Iranian authorities, but a phone call to the family where they confirmed where they were, and a visit from an independent doctor to confirm they are ok.
"It is quite astonishing that after six months, the government still has not secured that."
The embassy in Tehran has since been reopened, and Hamish Falconer MP - Minister for the Middle East said, "We will continue to play our full role to ensure the safety of British nationals in Iran."
Richard explained that during his own family's ordeal, "The main thing that kept us going across the years was knowing we were not alone, finding all these people following our story and caring."
He added, "So talking to other families in the same shoes helped me understand our own story better - to realise Iran's games weren't personal, and to better spot the UK's playbook for stalling.
That made it gradually easier to navigate, to know the game we were a chess piece in. It takes us all time to accept.
Richard revealed to the Mirror some of the advice he shared with Lindsay and Craig's family as they campaign to secure the release of their "generous and fun" parents.
"The main thing I told them when we first met was that they needed to get it confirmed where they were, and that they were still alive," Richard said, but added that their journey will likely differ from his own during those difficult years when Nazanin was imprisoned.
"I told them that there is no road map - and what works for them will be their own path. But they should remember that the government's interests were different from the family's, and that it would continually find ways to kettle the campaign, and stop their suffering getting in the way of other agendas.
"They would get sympathy, but they would have to push hard for any action."
Lindsay and Craig's children encourage anyone moved by their parents' story to write to their MP to help their campaign to secure the couple's release from Iran.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
43 minutes ago
- Metro
What's stopping Keir Starmer from recognising Palestine as a state?
Sir Keir Starmer is coming under a lot of pressure to recognise Palestinian statehood. He's under pressure from 221 MPs – more than a third of all the people who sit in the House of Commons – who collectively signed a letter urging recognition. He's under pressure from Jeremy Corbyn's newly announced left-wing party, which placed alleged UK complicity in the Gaza horror at the centre of its launch, and the significant number of supporters it has attracted. And he's under pressure from top Labour figures, ranging from London Mayor Sadiq Khan to members of his own cabinet, who are pushing him on the matter both publicly and privately. Those calls have grown in the past few days, as images of starving children have been beamed around the world and French President Emmanuel Macron has announced France will formally recognise Palestine as a state. But the Prime Minister has remained firm, insisting he will only press forward at the moment when the move would have the maximum impact. Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sent every Wednesday. Sign up here. In a statement released on Thursday night, Starmer said: 'We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. 'A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.' The UK is deeply entwined in the history of the region currently occupied by Israel and Palestine. In 1916, the British claimed control of the region called Palestine amid the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, and the following year, Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour said the UK would back a 'national home' for the Jewish people in the area. A little over three decades later, in 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the independence of Israel. The UN admitted Israel as a member in 1949, but not Palestine. It was not until 1988 that Palestinian statehood was recognised by any UN member states, after the Palestinian National Council formally declared independence. Today, 147 of the UN's 193 member states recognise Palestine, including the vast majority of the countries in Asia, Africa and South America. The UK, US, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are among the nations that do not. In 2014, MPs in the House of Commons voted to 274 to 12 in favour of recognising Palestine as a state. But David Cameron's government responded with a line that remains familiar today – that recognition would wait until it was deemed most appropriate for the peace process. On the face of it, the British government appears to be closer than ever to announcing formal recognition of a Palestinian state. Among the high-profile cabinet members reportedly arguing in favour are Deputy PM Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The UK has also been closely aligning with France on the issue, as part of the E3 group of nations alongside Germany. However, both Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have insisted publicly that the move is only worth making when it would be most effective in the pursuit of peace. On Tuesday, Lammy told the BBC: 'We don't just want to recognise symbolically, we want to recognise as a way of getting to the two states that sadly many are trying to thwart at this point in time.' Labour's election manifesto last year said the party is 'committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.' More Trending The letter signed by 221 MPs, organised by Labour's Sarah Champion, said the announcement of recognition should come at a UN conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on Monday and Tuesday. It said: 'British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine. Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. 'Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Will there be a bank holiday and trophy parade if England win Women's Euro 2025? MORE: Empty shops to be turned into clubs and bars under new government plans MORE: Trump warns 'there'll be no Europe left' before immediately hitting golf course


Daily Record
43 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Toddler found dead on popular Greek tourist beach by horrified passer-by
A young girl was found dead on a beach near the Greek capital of Athens early on Sunday - and authorities are now carrying out investigations to determine what happened to her. A toddler has tragically been found dead on a popular tourist beach in Greece by a horrified passerby. The child, believed to be around two or three years old, was discovered on Eden Beach in Paleo Faliro, near Athens, in the early hours of July 27. Local reports say a man, from Egypt, spotted the girl's body on the shore and called the emergency services. Authorities rushed to the scene, where they located the child, who hasn't been identified so far. Her body was transported to the Agia Sofia Children's Hospital via ambulance, where doctors pronounced her dead. An autopsy will be carried out to determine the girl's cause of death, authorities have said. Greek newspaper Protothema reported that the child was wearing a full-zip bathing suit and was not wearing armbands when she was found. The publication added that there were no obvious signs of abuse on the girl. No child matching her characteristics has been reported missing in the area. Investigations are ongoing to determine the girl's identity and the circumstances of her death, reports the Mirror. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Last week, a British tourist was tragically found dead on his sun lounger on a popular Greek beach after reportedly becoming unwell. The 74-year-old was discovered unconscious on Stalis Beach on the isle of Crete by other people at the resort at around 12pm on Sunday, July 20. Emergency services rushed to the scene and made a desperate bid to revive the man, but unfortunately their efforts proved unsuccessful. It is understood that he had first gone for a swim before returning to the sun lounger and there are reports he had a "strong feeling" of sickness shortly before his death. Paramedics from Hellenic National Center of Emergency Care (EKAB) treated the man at the scene and no cause of death has yet been given by the Greek authorities. An autopsy was due to be carried out, reported It comes after several tragic beach deaths over the last few months involving British citizens on holiday. A 73-year-old man was found dead on a beach in Agia Paraskevi, Skiathos, in Greece. And a 68-year-old lost his life after going swimming and losing consciousness on June 12.


Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer makes surprise appearance at Euros final with wife Victoria
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel Keir Starmer has made a surprise appearance at the Euros final in Switzerland to support the Lionesses The Prime Minister, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel. He was seen watching the pitch with intense eyes as England's women's team kicked off the match a against Spain. Writing in today's Sunday Mirror, the Prime Minister spoke about his joy of taking his daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros tournament in 2022. He said it was a "special moment" seeing his daughter stay long after the final whistle to watch the team celebrate their win. The Lionesses went on to win the last Euros tournament, beating Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium in London. The PM this morning declared: "Let's bring it home again." Mr Starmer said: "Whatever happens tonight, this team have already written their names in the history books. They've shown the best of our national character. Not just their skill, grit and determination, but their calm-headedness. No matter the pressure they're under. "I will always remember taking my daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros, and I know she'll always remember it too. She stayed long after the final whistle, watching the team celebrate. It was a special moment for me – one that is repeated up and down the country every time they play. "Because football not just entertains but inspires. That's what this squad does. And it's why so many young women look up to them." The Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte have also been pictured in Switzerland ahead of the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, a picture of William and Charlotte was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption "let's go, Lionesses". Elsewhere, Mr Starmer is facing calls to grant an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros 2025 final on Sunday. The Prime Minister previously backed calls for a "proper day of celebration" for the nation when England women's football team reached the final in the last Euros tournament in 2022, which was hosted by England. The then-Opposition Leader told the Mirror: 'The whole country will be roaring on the Lionesses in the final... They have already done us proud, but if they win it will be a truly historic achievement - one that should be marked with a proper day of celebration, where clubs can open and promote access for women and girls.' England went on to win the match against Germany but the Tory government did not grant a bank holiday for the nation to celebrate the historic victory. In its latest update, before the Lionesses roared to victory last week, Downing Street said it was "not aware of any plans" for an extra bank holiday. The PM's official spokesman said he didn't want to jinx it before the team had reached the final. Asked about the prospect of one, the PM's spokesman said on Tuesday: "I'm not aware of any plans for that but when it comes to backing the Lionesses, the PM is sending his best wishes ahead of the semi finals. We cannot get ahead of ourselves."