Foreign Office appoints first special envoy for Britons detained overseas
Summary
The UK Foreign Office has created a new role of special envoy to help British citizens detained abroad in difficult cases. Alistair Burt has been appointed to this position to provide additional support and improve efforts to secure releases, following criticism of past government handling.Key Facts
- Alistair Burt, former Middle East minister, is the UK’s first special envoy for Britons detained overseas.
- The role focuses on complex consular cases and aims to support British nationals facing welfare, legal, or human rights issues abroad.
- This appointment responds to criticism over inconsistent support for detained Britons, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, held for six years in Iran.
- The role was inspired by the US’s special envoy for hostages, which has been seen as more effective in securing releases.
- The Foreign Office delayed appointing the envoy for over a year due to concerns about interfering with diplomatic relations.
- Labour had promised a legal right to consular assistance for British citizens facing human rights violations, but no law has been passed yet.
- Critics say success depends on strong government backing and determination to bring detained Britons home, such as Jagtar Singh Johal in India.
- Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper supports the appointment and expects Burt to improve support for detainees and their families.
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