Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)
13. What recent progress he has made on securing the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Jeremy Hunt)
The detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a gross injustice. She is innocent; she is separated from her four-year-old daughter and her husband; and we will continue to leave no stone unturned to get her home.

Tom Brake
I thank the Foreign Secretary for his proactive and willing support of Nazanin’s case from the outset. He clearly shares the concerns on both sides of the House about the impact that the unlawful detention is having on her health.

Following the visit of the Minister for the Middle East to Iran last week, can the Foreign Secretary set out any new initiatives that he is trying to secure, particularly on, for instance, using diplomatic protection or working with the UN and our international partners?

Mr Hunt
We will keep going with a whole range of activities. As well as the visit of my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East, the Prime Minister spoke to President Rouhani on 10 May. I spoke to Foreign Minister Zarif on 24 August, and I hope to meet him at the United Nations General Assembly. I am also willing to go to Tehran, if necessary.

Paul Masterton (East Renfrewshire) (Con)
What steps are the Government taking to ensure that Iran cannot use its embassies in the UK to harbour terrorists?

Mr Hunt
We take all steps necessary to make sure that does not happen. When we have any evidence of that kind of activity, we react accordingly.