The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is under fire for its handling of cases involving British nationals detained abroad, with families and campaigners calling for significant reforms under the new Labour government. Many relatives of those unlawfully held overseas have expressed feelings of isolation and lack of support from British consular services.
A Cycle of Dashed Hopes
For Gurpreet Singh Johal, whose brother Jagtar has been imprisoned in India for seven years, dealing with the FCDO has been a frustrating experience. He has met with five different foreign secretaries, each with their own approach and level of commitment to the case. “It’s about political will,” Gurpreet emphasizes, noting that some, like former PM David Cameron, seemed to grasp the heart of the issue, while others appeared more concerned with trade deals and maintaining bilateral relations.
This sentiment is echoed by other families, who describe a cycle of hope followed by disappointment as ministers and case workers change frequently. Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who was detained in Iran for six years, likens trying to understand the government’s thinking to “peeling an onion.” He had to rely on his own detective work and tips from foreign diplomats to uncover the key obstacle to his wife’s release – a £450m debt owed by the UK to Iran.
Cultural Defensiveness and Competing Interests
Former ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, cites the FCDO’s “culture of non-offence” and desire to avoid upsetting foreign governments as a hindrance in cases like that of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah. “We don’t think about how to use access and political conversations for leverage,” Casson argues, pointing out that key levers such as intelligence and defense often operate independently of diplomats.
This cultural defensiveness is compounded by a sense among families that other interests, such as trade deals or maintaining alliances, take precedence over the welfare of detained Britons. Gurpreet Singh Johal believes his brother’s case has been deprioritized in favor of UK-India trade relations, while Matthew Hedges, a British academic detained in the UAE, felt the close partnership between the countries inhibited the FCDO’s response.
Calls for Transparency and Action
Families and campaigners are urging the Labour government to prioritize consular support and adopt a more assertive approach in cases of Britons detained abroad. They call for greater transparency, regular communication, and the use of all available tools to secure releases, including diplomatic pressure, legal action, and public advocacy.
I was born and brought up here. I expected my country to look after me, and it’s not happened. I’ve been campaigning for the last seven years, not just against the Indian government, but for the UK government to do a lot more.
– Gurpreet Singh Johal
Labour has proposed solutions such as enshrining a legal right to consular access and appointing a special envoy for hostages, similar to the US model. However, securing releases is a complex task that requires tact, patience, and an understanding of the captor’s motives and weaknesses. The FCDO maintains that it supports thousands of Britons detained abroad each year, and that many successful cases are resolved privately.
The Debate Over Quiet Diplomacy
One of the most contentious issues is the FCDO’s preference for quiet diplomacy over public pressure. Families are often advised not to go public with their cases, but many feel they have no choice. “I believe if I didn’t go loud, my brother would be dead,” says Gurpreet Singh Johal, arguing that publicity was crucial in stopping torture and potentially saving his brother’s life.
Critics argue that the FCDO’s reluctance to use tools like UN arbitrary detention rulings or reciprocal measures against foreign diplomats undermines its commitment to a rules-based international order. A 2023 report by the parliamentary ombudsman found that officials had failed Hedges by not recognizing signs of torture and not intervening effectively.
The Path Forward
As the Labour government takes office, families and campaigners are cautiously optimistic that long-awaited reforms may finally be implemented. The appointment of David Lammy as foreign secretary, who has been vocal about cases like that of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has raised hopes for a more proactive approach.
However, change will require more than just political will. It will mean challenging long-standing diplomatic conventions, investing in specialized units and expertise, and being willing to prioritize the rights and welfare of detained Britons even when other interests are at stake. For those trapped in foreign prisons and their families back home, the path forward cannot come soon enough.
Some people in the community feel like I have got as far because I am a lawyer. But I was never trained to do this. I have had to learn as I go along. Too often you feel like you are someone to be handled, not confided in. I just have to hope with Lammy it is different.
– Gurpreet Singh Johal
