PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Michael White (12 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has held discussions with his US counterpart on the release of Michael White by Iran; what lessons his Department can apply from that case in relation to release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat)

The release of Michael White is a matter for the US Government; we should not draw parallels between the different circumstances in each case. The permanent release of all arbitrarily detained dual nationals in Iran and their return to their families in the UK remains our top priority. While the further extension of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's temporary release is a welcome step, we continue to urge the Iranian Government to make it permanent so she can return to her family in the UK. We continue to raise their cases at the most senior levels, and discuss them at every opportunity with our Iranian counterparts. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently raises all of our dual national detainees with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Answered by:
Mr James Cleverly (Conservative)
18 June 2020