Spy-accused academic lambasts Foreign Office

A British academic jailed on spying charges by the United Arab Emirates has accused the Foreign Office of failing to help him clear his name.

Matthew Hedges, from Exeter, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Gulf state last year after being accused of working for MI6.

A pardon from the UAE president secured his release in November following a campaign led by his wife Daniela Tejada and intervention from Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

But Emirati officials continued to call Mr Hedges a spy, an allegation denied by his family and colleagues.

The 31-year-old has now filed a formal complaint to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including allegations it did not do enough to secure his release and is not helping to get his conviction overturned.