Don’t axe Boris over my wife’s Iran jail ‘shambles’
Husband of Nazanin Zaghari-ratcliffe says any further political repercussions could make the situation worse
THE husband of a British mother jailed in Iran has said Boris Johnson should not be sacked despite the “shambles” caused by the Foreign Secretary’s claim that she was training journalists in the country.
Richard Ratcliffe revealed that Nazanin Zaghari-ratcliffe was left “angry” and “inconsolable” after Mr Johnson told a committee of MPS that she had been working in the country – but said he should not be forced to resign. Further “instability” would make the situation worse, he said in a statement, despite fears that Ms Zaghari-ratcliffe could face a longer prison sentence as a result of Mr Johnson’s actions.
Last night Mr Ratcliffe revealed that the 37-year-old may need an operation after lumps were found in her breasts. She is taking medication and being closely monitored because of a family history of cancer, he said.
Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, defended Mr Johnson, saying on the BBC’S The Andrew
Marr Show that it would be a “big mistake” to focus attention on his Cabinet colleague when Iran is “in the dock”.
He said: “There is nothing the Iranian regime would like more than for the attention to be shifted off them and on to us.
“I think we make a big mistake if we think the right thing to do is to blame politicians in a democracy who are trying to do the right thing for the plight of a woman who has been imprisoned by a regime that is a serial abuser of human rights.”
David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, also took to the airwaves to defend Mr Johnson. But Mr Gove found himself at the centre of the row after claiming he did not know why Ms Zaghari-ratcliffe was in the country, casting doubt on her claim she was visiting family.
He said: “There is no reason why Nazanin Zaghari-ratcliffe should be in prison in Iran so far as any of us know.”
But critics warned his remarks could cause her prison sentence to be extended after the Iranian Government seized on similar comments made by Mr Johnson a week ago. The country’s state TV broadcaster claimed his suggestion amounted to an “unintended admission” of her guilt.
Both Ms Zaghari-ratcliffe’s employer and husband have long maintained that she was visiting family with her young daughter when she was hauled before a court and charged.
Jon Trickett, the shadow Cabinet office minister, said Theresa May must ensure that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe “does not pay the price for her ministers’ bungling”.
He said: “Boris Johnson’s cavalier approach to international
‘ There is nothing the Iranians would like more than for the attention to be shifted off them’
diplomacy is compounded this morning by Michael Gove claiming he has no idea what Nazanin Zaghari-ratcliffe was doing in Iran. It has always been clear, she was on holiday visiting her family,” he said.
Tulip Siddiq, Ms Zaghari-ratcliffe’s MP, revealed that she had been left distraught after Mr Johnson’s remarks made national news, prompting the Iranian Government to haul her before a court and warn that further charges have been added to her file.
She told Sky News: “She fell to the ground and was sobbing and crying when she heard there were fresh charges against her, what she wasn’t told is whether she gets extra years as a result of the fresh charges.”
The Labour MP said the court told Ms Zaghari-ratcliffe the extra charges were “a direct result of what the Foreign Secretary said”, adding: “She has mental health problems ... She has been on hunger strike and is suicidal.”
She added: “She was sobbing down the phone she was inconsolable, she couldn’t believe Boris Johnson would make those comments which could endanger her life.”
It also emerged that the couple’s young daughter, who is also in Iran, has “lost the ability to speak English” which has left her father unable to communicate with her while they are separated.
Allies of Mr Johnson believe he is in real trouble and could be forced to resign over the error, but Mr Radcliffe offered his support last night.
In a statement he said: “She [Nazanin] expressed anger at the Guards, but also at the Foreign Secretary, that it had become such a shambles.
“Angry at the original comments, angry at the footage of avoiding the question.”
But he added: “I do not believe it is in Nazanin’s interests for there to be any resignations.
“Nazanin’s interests are not served by more instability ... Boris Johnson is Nazanin’s Foreign Secretary, her government’s voice vis-a-vis Iran. Both have a crucial role in the weeks ahead to stand up for Nazanin, and finally to bring her home.”