- Britain has spent nearly £1 million of taxpayers' money holding Iranian stalker Richard Jan for 16 years beyond his minimum prison term, despite his eligibility for deportation and deteriorating health.
- Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple detained in Iran for 17 months on spying charges they deny, believe Jan's deportation is crucial for their release, citing signals from Iranian officials.
- Jan, jailed in 2004 and a former dual national who renounced his British passport, had a deportation order issued in 2013, but his removal was blocked by the Ministry of Justice over concerns about public confidence in the justice system.
- His case was reportedly raised by an Iranian official holding the Foremans and also during negotiations for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release, prompting calls from the Foremans and their son for the UK government to explore a potential exchange.
- While a UK government spokesperson warned against claims of an exchange, Justice Secretary David Lammy indicated the government's mind is not 'closed' to such arrangements, despite a general policy against prisoner swaps.
IN FULL
Britain has spent almost £1m of taxpayers’ cash holding stalker at centre of Iran prisoner swap plea
