Boris Johnson on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Boris Johnson's core involvement with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe stemmed from his time as Foreign Secretary when he made a statement to a parliamentary committee that inadvertently complicated her detention in Iran. He stated that she was “simply teaching people journalism,” which her family and employer countered was untrue, claiming she was on holiday. This remark was reportedly cited by Iranian judiciary officials during an unscheduled court hearing as evidence of her engaging in activities against the regime. He later expressed anxiety over her suffering and offered a clarification to the Iranian Foreign Minister, accepting his remarks could have been clearer.

His initial statement drew intense criticism from her family and political opponents, who argued it harmed her case and suggested a lack of care for detail and consequence. Despite the controversy, he consistently voiced his hope for a swift resolution to her case and pledged the government would not relent in its efforts to help her and other consular cases in Iran. Furthermore, years later, the Prime Minister met with the aid worker upon her release, although his earlier actions remained a point of political contention.