Family of East Sussex couple jailed in Iran call for stronger action after meeting with Foreign Secretary
Craig and Lindsay Foreman's family ask for diplomatic protection and for their detention to be named arbitrary
The family of a British couple jailed in Iran on spying charges want the Government to consider legal action after meeting Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
Craig Foreman and his wife Lindsay, from East Sussex, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February after being convicted of espionage. Both deny the charges.
The family welcomed the meeting on Tuesday but are calling for diplomatic protection. They also want the couple's detention formally recognised as arbitrary.
The couple were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on an around-the-world motorcycle trip.
What the family said
Lindsay's son and Craig's stepson, Joe Bennett, said in a statement the family were grateful to Mr Miliband for listening and engaging with them personally.
He said he left the meeting feeling they had moved closer to bringing the couple home and having their detention named as arbitrary.
He also said: "But a meeting is not a result."
Mr Bennett said the couple have now spent 664 days in prison for something he says they did not do.
He said the family now need the Foreign Secretary to take the decisions that will bring them home.
Pressure on the Government
Earlier this month, 49 MPs and peers signed a letter to Mr Miliband calling for stronger action to secure the couple's release.
The Government has previously condemned the 10-year sentences, describing them as appalling and unjustifiable.
Conditions and appeal
The couple ended lengthy hunger strikes in August.
Their family say they still have difficulty receiving supplies and are allowed one supervised phone call a week.
In June, the family said the couple had lost an appeal against their convictions and were unable to attend the hearing.
Travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran, citing a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.
The FCDO has been contacted for comment.