Oliver last month in Parliament continued his campaign for the release of a 77 year old British-Iranian grandfather, Mr Kamal Foroughi, from Evin Prison in Iran.

Following a question to the Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood MP, during a debate on Iran, Oliver said: ‘I was very pleased to hear from the Minister that securing his release remains a high priority for the Government in our discussions in Iran. I meet regularly with Mr Foroughi’s family here at home in the UK and I know the incredible pressure that his detention has placed on all of them.’

Mr Kamal Foroughi, is the father of one of Oliver’s constituents, Kamran Foroughi, and has been imprisoned in Iran for almost six years. With the family, Oliver has met repeatedly with Foreign Office Ministers to press the case for his release.

Last month’s question came after their most recent meeting which saw Mr Dowden and Kamran deliver a letter to the Foreign Secretary signed by over 250 MPs and Peers calling for his father’s release.

Oliver added: ‘I will continue to work with the Foroughi family in their campaign to see their father and grandfather released. As I have said before, showing clemency to a 77 year old grandfather who has completed his original sentence would be a real way for Iran to show that it truly wishes to engage productively with the international community. I was pleased that the Minister shares this view.’

• Clip and Hansard of Mr Dowden’s Question at during the debate on ‘Iran’s Influence in the Middle East’ on 22 March 2017 here:  Parliament TV (10:54:44), Hansard
• Clip and Hansard of Mr Dowden’s Question at Foreign Office Questions on 21 February 2017 here: Parliament TV, Hansard