Iran detainees' son urges PM to discuss their release in Gulf

The son of a British couple detained in Iran on spying charges has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to include them on his formal agenda during diplomatic talks in the Middle East.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were on a world motorcycle tour when they were taken into custody in January 2025.

As a two-week ceasefire was announced between the United States and Iran, Sir Keir headed to the Gulf, which Joe Bennett, from Folkestone in Kent, said "is the moment to act".

"My prime minister is in the region, speaking directly with those who have influence - Lindsay and Craig Foreman must be raised directly in every conversation," said Bennett.

The couple have been charged with espionage, which they deny, and have spent 15 months detained in Tehran's Evin prison.

"They have survived solitary confinement, hunger strikes, and the constant fear of violence," Bennett said.

During the recent escalations, he said he heard bombs falling close enough to the prison to cause structural damage while he was speaking to his mother on the phone.

Despite efforts by the family, including UN legal submissions, cross-party parliamentary support and several meetings with the Foreign Secretary, there has as yet been no visible progress towards securing the couple's release.

There is hope of release for the Foremans, as French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were also arrested on spying charges, are now returning home after three years following diplomatic efforts led directly by President Emmanuel Macron.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has already called the sentences handed to Lindsay and Craig "completely appalling and totally unjustifiable" and has committed to pursuing their release.

In a statement the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "Since Lindsay and Craig's arrest last year, Britain's ambassador to Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance.

"This includes the ambassador visiting them in prison and facilitating calls with their family back in the UK.

"The UK government continues work to safely return Craig and Lindsay to the UK."

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