Family of detained Briton in Dubai say Foreign Office is ‘treating them like dirt'
Wife Heather Cornelius and brother-in-law Chris Pagett spent three hours travelling to London last Tuesday for a meeting with the foreign secretary to discuss the case of Ryan Cornelius, the 71-year-old British businessman who has spent the last 17 years languishing in a Dubai jail. He is the longest currently detained Briton on charges understood to be unfair.
The father-of-three, 71, has spent his children's lives imprisoned over an alleged £370m fraud. The United Arab Emirates says he illegally obtained a loan from the government-affiliated Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) by bribing staff members, but the United Nations says the charge of fraud is unjust. Last month, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning his detention in 'inhumane conditions' in Al-Awir prison and calling for his 'immediate and unconditional release'.
The UAE says Mr Cornelius cannot be released until his debt is repaid, despite the DIB having seized assets from the British businessman exceeding £800m. Mr Cornelius accuses the DIB, which is chaired by a senior, non-royal government official, of being his 'effective jailers'.
The previous foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, met with Ms Cornelius and Mr Pagett last year to help broker Mr Cornelius' release, but the family say the succeeding Labour government has been less helpful, despite Mr Lammy championing the need for improved advocacy for Brits arbitrarily detained abroad. Sir Keir Starmer is also reportedly on the brink of agreeing a £1.6 billion trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the UAE is a key member.
After Ms Cornelius delivered a letter to the prime minister in April calling for him to intervene, the Foreign Office got in contact to organise a meeting.
Ms Cornelius was initially hesitant, as she had requested a meeting with the prime minister, but accepted the invitation to see Mr Lammy in the hope that, even if previous negotiations with foreign secretaries had not yielded results, this latest encounter might have some positive effect.
But after days of sleepless nights in anticipation of the meeting, Ms Cornelius found herself plunged back into ' despair' and 'hopelessness' on the side of the M4, as an official told her and Mr Pagett that the meeting had been suddenly cancelled.
The low-level diplomat said the meeting could not go ahead because the junior official for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, had been taken ill. They declined to explain why that would impact a meeting with Mr Lammy, or why this could not have been conveyed to them before they were nearing London for their 5.30pm appointment. They added that they would be in touch later to discuss reorganising the appointment.
In a letter sent by Mr Pagett to the Foreign Office on Wednesday morning, seen by The Independent, the brother-in-law said Ms Cornelius then broke out into a 'bleak howl'.
Addressing a Foreign Office diplomat, Mr Pagett wrote: 'I hope you never have to hear a member of your family emit the bleak howl of utter despair which I heard from Heather yesterday.'
Speaking later on Wednesday, Mr Pagett said he had 'never been so angry' in his life, describing the way the Foreign Office had handled them as 'callous'. 'They make you feel like s**t,' he said.
For Mr and Ms Cornelius, this latest 'kick in the teeth' from the Foreign Office causes further damage to their hopes of him ever being released. While the European parliament and the UN continue to call for Mr Cornelius' release, the Foreign Office persists in being 'shifty' and lacking in empathy, Mr Pagett said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
I stayed in the Airbnb alternative trying to do things differently
Metro Checks In to Limehome, a holiday rental platform that's hoping to give Airbnb and VRBO a run for their money. I love Spain, particularly its mainland cities; gazing at Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona, watching flamenco in Madrid, and of course, eating tapas anywhere, anytime, at any given opportunity. But as a British tourist, Spain doesn't always love me back. Backlash to mass tourism has snowballed in the past year, with locals complaining of overcrowding and short-term rentals wiping out affordable housing in holiday hotspots. At first glance, Limehome, a sort of Airbnb alternative which offers short-let apartments in 153 European cities, might seem like it's adding to the problem. But the strategy is different. Limehome aims to transform unused urban buildings into hotels and apartments, reducing the impact on housing for locals. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This approach helps bring new life to city areas without impacting the availability of residential housing,' a spokesperson told Metro. They've recently acquired an office building in Paris, which will be transformed into 25 apartments, as well as an unused building in Burgos, a city in Northern Spain less popular with visitors than its famous neighbours. I headed to the Limehome in Ruzafa, Valencia's trendiest neighbourhood, to check it out. Limehome is a hotel-holiday apartment hybrid. There's no reception or concierge — it's all done via an app. You can check in online before your stay, much like you do for a flight. Then, on the day of arrival, you're sent the codes which you use to access the building. To some, this could feel impersonal, but it's quick, easy and faff-free. Opening the door to the light-filled apartment, it's clear to see that providing a clean, comfortable stay is the priority. The aesthetic is all clean lines and grey interiors, with a pop-of-red kitchen. There are a few extra touches to make the place feel cosier, such as houseplants and colourful art on the walls. If a hotel full of personality and local tips is what you're after, this isn't for you — if you'd told me I was the first person to stay here, I'd have believed you. There's no guest book or well-worn pamphlets like you might find in an Airbnb, and I didn't see a single other guest for the three days I was there. But the apartment was spotless, the kitchen stocked with everything you need (including an all-important bottle opener) and the Wi-Fi super fast. Someone visiting Valencia on business would be equally at home here as a group of friends on a city break. The apartment I stayed in had one bedroom, plus a sofa bed in the lounge/dining area. It was spacious, more than big enough for the maximum four people that could stay here. Beds were comfortable, and the bathroom was equipped with shower gel and shampoo, unusual for stays like this. As a self-catered apartment, you won't find any adds on: there's no spa or swimming pool, for example, but the standout feature has to be the cute balcony that looks out onto the street below. Small but compact, it was the perfect spot to rest my legs after a long day of sightseeing, sangria in hand, of course. A special shout-out also goes to the full-length mirror – this should be a must in every holiday accommodation, but it's not. Often, when staying in a self-service apartment, it's all about location. You're foregoing the luxury amenities of a hotel, in exchange for staying right in the action. That's certainly the case for Limehome Valencia, which is in the heart of Ruzafa, Valencia's hipster neighbourhood. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink: from aesthetically pleasing brunch spots (I liked Casa Raíz with it's cute outdoor courtyard), and some of the best tapas I've ever eaten (I lost count of the amount of plates I ordered at La Anjana) to quirky cocktail bars (La Bella De Cadiz is quite a sight to behold…). There are vintage stores and art galleries, and Ruzafa is known for being particularly LGBTQ+ friendly, with rainbow flagged adorned from various balconies and awnings. And, while it's not Valencia's most famous area for street art (you'll have to head to El Carmen for that), Rufaza feels colourful and creative. You'll still be able to spot some amazing murals if you keep your eyes peeled. You feel like you're hanging out with the locals here, who spill out of bars, and drink Agua de Valencia — a lethal but delicious cocktail — on the kerb. The only downside is that it's not exactly quiet, and it was a little noisy when attempting to sleep. That being said, as a Londoner who lives on a main road, I was able to drift out without any problems. That's not as straightforward as you might think. Limehome uses airline-style dynamic pricing driven by demand, the local market price, and the respective occupancy rate at the location. Rates rise during peak periods (such as during Valencia's famous street-festival Las Fallas in mid-March) and falls when demand is softer. At the time of writing, a standard room in Valencia for a small one-guest apartment will cost: October 8 2025: €123 per night January 14 2026: €98 per night When I first arrived, I threw open the doors of the balcony, and was immediately confronted with a banner hanging from the window of the flat opposite, with the words 'tourists go home'. Perhaps I should have opted for an alternative destination or a locally-run hotel — as Metro's Lifestyle Editor, it's not like I'm unaware of up-and-coming cities that aren't overrun with visitors. More Trending I tried my best to be a responsible tourist. I booked tours with local companies, bought produce from local suppliers at the Central Market, and ate food at restaurants owned by Spanish chefs. Yes, I may have stayed in a short-term let, but Limehome is at least attempting to do things differently. Am I trying to justify my trip to a country that welcomed a staggering 17.3 million British tourists in 2023 alone? Maybe. But I'm not ready to give up my love affair with Spain just yet. Time: Valencia is GMT +1 hours. Weather: The average daily temperature in July and August is around 31°C. Spring is much cooler, with highs of around 21°C in April. Adaptors: Plugs in Spain are type F, which has two round pins. Visas: Currently, there is no visa requirement for UK tourists visiting Spain. However, next year 2026, UK citizens will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). Check in/check out: 3pm and 11am. Disability access? Yes. Limehome Valencia has a lift, which offers access to all floors. However, not all Limehome apartments are the same, and it's important to check before booking. Standout feature: The right-in-the-heart-of-it location, and little balcony. Perfect for: Limehome Valencia would suit pretty much every type and group of guest, from families to business travellers. Not right for: Those looking for a stay with bags of character. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Europe's 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem with £37 flights and 31°C August weather MORE: Family forced to hide in their cabin during £8,000 cruise from hell MORE: European seaside town takes aim at tourists with sassy poster and begs for 'decorum'
ITV News
an hour ago
- ITV News
India rejects UK parliament report on transnational repression
India has launched a blistering counterattack against a UK parliamentary report that accused it of waging 'transnational repression' on British soil and misusing global policing tools like INTERPOL to silence political dissidents. In a strongly worded statement on India's foreign ministry denounced the allegations as 'baseless,' 'politically motivated,' and 'drawn from dubious and discredited sources.' 'The deliberate reliance on unverified inputs from proscribed entities with a long record of anti-India hostility calls into question the credibility and objectivity of the entire report,' said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, dismissing the claims as an orchestrated smear. The rare diplomatic rebuke was triggered by the release of a hard-hitting report titled 'Transnational Repression in the UK' on July 30 by the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights — a powerful cross-party body comprising lawmakers from both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The report accuses multiple foreign governments of targeting exiled dissidents, activists, and journalists who have sought refuge in the UK, creating what it describes as a 'chilling effect' on diaspora communities. India was named among 12 countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, allegedly involved in such practices. While the report reserves its sharpest criticism for what it terms the 'three most flagrant perpetrators' — China, Russia, and Iran — India's inclusion, particularly the accusation of abusing INTERPOL's Red Notice mechanism for political ends, has sparked sharp pushback from New Delhi. The committee's findings draw heavily from evidence submitted by UK-based Sikh advocacy groups, including the Sikh Federation (UK) and Sikhs for Justice. These groups allege that Indian authorities have sought to weaponise international policing tools to harass and intimidate diaspora voices, especially those supporting the Khalistan separatist movement — a claim India has long dismissed as misinformation propagated by extremist elements. While the report has reignited debate within Britain over how to protect residents from foreign interference, India's sharp reaction signals a potential diplomatic flashpoint — particularly amid already sensitive ties following the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year, which also raised questions around cross-border intelligence operations. As both countries navigate a delicate relationship shaped by strategic partnerships and domestic political pressures, the fallout from this latest allegation is likely to echo beyond Westminster and Raisina Hill.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Miliband refuses to publish details of green energy deal with China
Following the decision, the Ministry of Defence raised concerns that the Chinese could use the turbines as spy sensors – but the Treasury was said to be resisting attempts to block the deal because of a desire to encourage inward investment. In Freedom of Information disclosures, the Government revealed that while Mr Miliband had been in China from March 13 to 17, Ofgem officials stayed until March 21. The officials, including Mr Brearley, used four temporary 'burner' phones while in the country, a standard security precaution government visitors are advised to take while in China. An Ofgem spokesman said: 'We always seek to keep expenditure as low as possible to deliver the best value for money and we regularly review our business travel and expenses policy in order to minimise the number of flights Ofgem staff take.' The group's food, local transport, and accommodation costs were paid for by the Foreign Office, the British embassy in China and the UK Integrated Security Fund, they added. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero insisted it was 'misleading' to suggest memorandums signed with other countries are made 'publicly available'. A spokesman said: 'The MoU is not about encouraging Chinese investment or involvement in the UK critical national infrastructure. 'Instead, it renews a partnership that has been in place for over ten years, and which facilitates the sharing of research and ideas to support the global clean energy transition.'
