Public support for Iran jail couple 'phenomenal'

The son of a British couple detained in Iran has gone to Westminster in an attempt to "pull every diplomatic lever possible" to secure their freedom.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were jailed on espionage charges in January 2025 after passing through the country on a round-the-world motorbike trip.

The East Sussex pair, who have always denied any wrongdoing, lost the appeal against their 10-year sentence in June and have been on hunger strike over conditions in jail for several weeks.

Calling public support for his parents "phenomenal", Joe Bennett, from Folkestone in Kent, said Wednesday's visit to Parliament was to help "keep the pressure on" to save "two lives hanging in the balance".

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, he said the family had been "extremely worried" about the health of the couple following recent reports they have been denied supplies and medical care.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, Lindsay Foreman has lost more than 31lb (14kg) and is suffering severe vertigo, tremors and profound physical weakness, while her husband has lost about 35lb (16kg).

"I've not spoken directly with either of them in months, so it's been very difficult to keep tabs on how they really are," said Bennett.

"Neither do we know how much medical care is being denied or why - it's pretty shocking."

He added that the visit to Parliament, on which he was accompanied by Tony Vaughan, the Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, had been "really positive".

"I wanted to make sure every question is being asked and that every conversation is being had," said Bennett, who also praised the support the family had received from the public.

"Everyone who has signed the petition for my parents, donated to the campaign or contacted their MP - they've been phenomenal and have kept us going through some dark days," he said.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "Craig and Lindsay's health and welfare is our priority.

"Since their arrest, Britain's Ambassador to Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance, including the ambassador visiting them in prison and facilitating calls with their family back in the UK.

"The Foreign Secretary last met the family in March and Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, regularly speaks with them.

"Both have set out to the family personally how unjustified and appalling we consider Lindsay and Craig's incarceration to be, and the UK Government is trying to secure their release."

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