UK political action urged over woman held in Iran

The husband of a British-Iranian charity worker arrested in Iran has called for more “political noise” from the UK government to help free her.

Richard Ratcliffe said it was “astonishing” no British minister had publicly criticised Tehran for arresting Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in April as she tried to leave Iran with her daughter Gabriella, three.

He spoke as he delivered letters to Downing Street for outgoing prime minister David Cameron and his replacement Theresa May on his wife’s 100th day in custody.

He urged them to do what they can to secure the release of his “political prisoner” spouse.

On Monday Iran said Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 37, was one of three dual nationals and a foreigner who had been indicted on unknown charges, following a series of detentions in the wake of last year’s nuclear deal with world powers.

Speaking outside Number 10, Mr Ratcliffe said consular staff in Iran and at the Foreign Office had been working on her case.

However, he added: “There has been no public criticism by any British minister of this situation.

“This is a British baby and a British mother being held hostage, effectively, and I think that that is astonishing,” he said.