‘More damage than help’ - David Lammy slams Boris Johnson over Nazanin release

The prime minister Boris Johnson has been criticised for appearing “to do more damage than help” over the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe when he was foreign secretary.

Detainees Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori have been held in Iran for almost six and five years but were released today following a debt payment by the UK government.

They are currently en route home to London.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday, March 16), shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said foreign secretary Liz Truss “showed more skills in diplomacy than her bungling boss who appeared to do more damage than help while he held her current post”.

During Nazanin’s detention, in 2017, Mr Johnson was criticised for remarking that she was “simply teaching people journalism” - a statement her family and employer both said was untrue.

Three days later, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe faced a court hearing, where the then-foreign secretary’s comments were given as proof she was engaged in “propaganda against the regime”.

At the time, her husband Richard Ratcliffe said she was on holiday in Iran with their daughter Gabriella when she was arrested, adding that it was “deeply misleading by both governments to suggest or even half imply otherwise”.

Mr Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, also called for a review into “what could have been done by the British government to secure releases sooner”.

He added: “There are serious lessons that need to be learned from this appalling episode.

“We need stronger international measures to combat the use of arbitrary detention, and end to hostage diplomacy and we need a review of these cases.

“We ask what efforts were not taken by her predecessors that could have been.

“A review must also consider what comments made by ministers indeed contributed to extended detention.”

Ms Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, told the house the government’s efforts to settle an almost £400m debt to the Iranian government had “reached their conclusion”.

She said: “After highly complex and exhaustive negotiations the more than 40-year-old debt between the International Military Services and the Iranian Ministry of Defence has now been settled.

"We have found a way to make the payment in full in compliance with UK and international sanctions and global counter terrroism financing and anti money laundering regulations.

“A sum of £393.8m has now been paid which will only be available for humanitarian purposes. We have long said we would find a solution to the IMS debt.

“We have found a way to do so.”

While Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq said: “After six years I can mention Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in the chamber and not beg for her release, so thank you.

“After eight urgent questions and countless debates it’s a pleasure to finally be standing here and talking about her. This wouldn’t have happened without the foreign secretary so can I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Can I thank all the MPs on behalf of Richard Ratcliffe who texted me just before I stood up to say thank you across the chamber, because whichever side of the house you are on, everyone worked hard to ensure Nazanin was released, including all the MPs who visited Richard when he was on both his hunger strikes.

“I want to pay tribute to my constituent Richard Ratcliffe for his relentless campaigning.

“He’s really set the bar high for all husbands. Can I say to Nazanin, welcome home after six long years, and can I say to Gabriella, this time, Mummy really is coming home.”

Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East, added: “I’m incredibly happy for Anoosheh, his wife and his children.

“Today I spoke to Sherri and she tells me she has had several years of heartache and separation. All of this could have been avoided.”

Jeremy Hunt, former UK foreign secretary, added: “As I know from my own experience this is a fearsomely difficult diplomatic challenge.

“Can I most of all commend the efforts of Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin’s husband.

“His quiet courage, his humility, his total determination never wavered throughout six years of hell and I think he really was the bravest person I met during my time as foreign secretary.”

Boris Johnson said: “I am very pleased to confirm that the unfair detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori in Iran has ended today, and they will now return to the UK.

“The UK has worked intensively to secure their release and I am delighted they will be reunited with their families and loved ones.”