Family Campaigns for Release of British Couple Detained in Iran
A man has travelled to Washington to appeal to global leaders for assistance in securing the release of his mother and her partner, who remain imprisoned in Iran.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, residents of East Sussex, were detained in January 2025 during their travels. They were subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison in what their family has described as a "sham trial."
Appeal at McCain Institute Conference
Joe Bennett addressed a conference at the McCain Institute on Thursday, urging the international community to recognize their case as a significant issue for Western civilization and the world at large.
"There are days when you don't want to show up, but you have to keep going. It's heartbreaking that in this day and age this is still happening."
Speaking on Capitol Hill, Bennett emphasized the ongoing challenges and the emotional toll of the situation.
Concerns Over UK Government's Response
Bennett, who hails from Folkestone, Kent, previously told the BBC that the couple's circumstances had reached "a terrifying breaking point" following the outbreak of conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel.
At the US-UK Transatlantic Conference on Hostage-Taking and Arbitrary Detention held on Thursday, he criticized the UK government's advocacy efforts as "non-existent."
"They do not want to be accountable for things that go wrong, they only want to be accountable for when thing goes right.
"I know that Keir Starmer will be on the tarmac when they come home if he's still in power to shake their hand but he has never once said their name."
Bennett expressed limited optimism regarding proposals for a new special envoy role, stating it "still has the shackles of the Foreign Office behind it." He described the government's engagement with Tehran as "very one-dimensional."
Issues with Consular Support and Communication
Bennett revealed that the UK had been slow to learn of the Foremans' sentencing and claimed that the family was the first to inform officials after British embassy staff departed Tehran.
He criticized the consular support provided remotely, stating it "doesn't quite" work and that officials had not utilized communication channels available to the family.
The government, according to Bennett, had shown "no willingness" to speak directly with his parents about efforts to secure their release.
Hopes for International Cooperation
Bennett expressed hope that the Washington event would enhance cooperation among countries including the US, Germany, and the UK to address cases like his parents'.
Government Statement on the Case
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a statement affirming that the welfare of British nationals detained in Iran remains a priority, especially amid the current Middle East situation.
Regarding the Foremans, the FCDO stated:
"Craig and Lindsay's sentences are completely appalling and totally unjustifiable, and we will continue to pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian regime and will do so until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family.
"We continue to provide consular assistance to them and their family."
The statement also noted that the UK government has long advised British and British-Iranian nationals against travelling to Iran due to the risk of arbitrary detention.
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