British Couple Detained in Iran Feel 'Let Down' and Plead with Starmer to 'Help Us'
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple from East Sussex, are being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, where they say they face a "life-threatening situation" due to the facility's location in an active war zone. The 53-year-olds, who were jailed for 10 years last month on what they describe as "falsified" spying charges, have expressed feelings of abandonment by the UK government and are urgently calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene.
Prisoners in a War Zone: A Desperate Plea for Public Support
Speaking from Evin prison, the Foremans issued a heartfelt statement detailing their ordeal. "We were charged based on falsified evidence that was fabricated to suit the maximum sentence," said Mr. Foreman. "Our government are fully aware of this information and know we are 100% innocent. We are proud to be British, but by now we feel let down, alone, and completely frustrated by the lack of public defence by the people in charge of the government."
He emphasized that Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper are aware of their innocence and urged them to "go public with the information" and "step up, step out of the shadows and help us." The couple highlighted the extreme dangers they face, noting that explosions near the prison have sent shockwaves through the buildings, blowing out windows and forcing prisoners to take cover from falling debris.
Deteriorating Conditions and Family's Anguish
A family spokesperson revealed that conditions inside Evin prison are "deteriorating rapidly," with basic essentials running out and medical care largely absent. The Foremans are reportedly sleeping on metal bunks without mattresses, and Craig is suffering from an untreated dental abscess, causing him significant pain.
Ms. Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, described their detention as a "slow-motion destruction." He said, "My mum is in pieces. She's gone from always finding the positive to feeling completely lost. The sense that she's been abandoned by her own government is breaking her. They have nowhere to turn. This isn't just detention, it's slow-motion destruction."
Government Response and Travel Warnings
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a statement in response to the case. A spokesperson said, "The welfare of British nationals detained in Iran is a priority for this government and continues to be during the current situation in the Middle East. Craig and Lindsay's sentences are completely appalling and totally unjustifiable. We will continue to pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian regime until we see Craig and Lindsay safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family."
The FCDO also maintains a travel warning, advising all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran due to a "significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention." The couple were arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran on a global motorcycle trip, and they continue to deny all allegations against them.
