Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

The 43-year-old British-Iranian mother landed back in Britain on Thursday.

“So, I didn’t know the details at the time. Speaking of her experience, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe said: “It will always haunt me. It will be with me.” And I was overwhelmed, specifically to get to know Gabriella and Richard after such a long time. “That moment was precious. I cannot be happier than this that I’m here.

For six years she was a silent figure, but her voice was finally heard at a Westminster press conference.

And when she only had 40 minutes with Gabriella, she wanted to spend the time on colouring and reading stories. She had known she was powerless in prison so gave little thought to politics. It was only when she was on the plane out of Iran that she allowed herself to believe she would be reunited with her family. Many times she had been led to think her release was imminent only to be let down. And no, she was not going to let herself hold a grudge. The rest was for her and her family alone. But that was as much as Nazanin was prepared to let the media see of her true feelings. We had been warned Nazanin wouldn’t be making any overtly political remarks and that any such statements would be left to Richard and Siddiq. Only no one appeared to have told Nazanin. She wasn’t going to settle for anything cosy and heart-warming. Nazanin – dressed in the yellow and blue of Ukraine – began by thanking her family, both in the UK and Iran, before going on to say that her freedom would never be total until other detainees – such as Morad Tahbaz, whose eldest daughter, Roxanne, was also at the presser – were also released. t was standing room only in the Macmillan room of Portcullis House. The first press conference to be given by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe since her release from detention in Iran was not something to be missed. Now he was going to have to get used to being. Given it had taken the repayment of an acknowledged debt to secure Nazanin’s release, what had taken the UK government so long?

The former foreign secretary said the Government owes her an explanation as he called for an independent inquiry.

Her anger was apparent as she continued: “I have seen five foreign secretaries changed over the course of six years. “Those criticizing Nazanin have got it so wrong. She doesn’t owe us gratitude: we owe her an explanation.

After six years of detention and torture, she doesn't owe anyone anything – she is owed an explanation.

She lost six of the most precious years of her daughter’s life, and returns home deeply scarred by her experience. Nazanin expressed gratitude to everyone who had played a part in her release – politicians, the media, her family, friends, medical and legal teams and fellow prisoners, as well as calling for the release of other Iranian detainees including Morad Tahbaz, who holds US, British and Iranian citizenship, and whose eldest daughter Roxanne spoke at the news conference. “Send her back” and “ungrateful cow” have been trending on Twitter – all because she dared to criticise the government’s long delay in securing her freedom.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has criticised the five foreign secretaries that have been in office since she was taken prisoner. What does her lengthy ordeal ...

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe received backlash claiming she wasn't grateful for her release after she criticised the government in a press conference for taking ...

"She's absolutely right that it took too long to bring her home. Does she bear no responsibility for being in a country with such a nasty regime?" David Campbell Bannerman, former MEP, said: "I do hope she's not biting the hand that saved her. While she believes it was "cruel", she told reporters that she does not want to bear a grudge and described the moment as "glorious". She went on to say that she had seen five foreign secretaries over the course of six years, adding: "That is unprecedented given the politics of the UK. The former foreign secretary, who failed to get her released, defended Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe on Twitter after she was let out of prison and returned to the UK this week after six years.

The former foreign secretary said it was the UK which owed the mother-of-one an explanation following her six-year detention in Iran.

On the criticism being levelled, he said on Twitter: “This kind of open scrutiny as to whether we could do things better is what happens in democratic, open societies. We have to ask ourselves whether we could have done it more quickly.” But then the practicalities of paying it when Iran is a sanctioned regime meant that it still took a long time to sort out.” That is the honest truth.” He said the Government did not want to appear to be paying ransom money. “She’s absolutely right that it took too long to bring her home.

Ex-Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that the UK Government 'must be honest' and say the charity worker's release 'should have been solved ...

"People (some men) really don't like women speaking their truth. Tough." Solidarity as charity worker criticises government after six-year ordeal in Iran.

The British-Iranian mum was released from an Iranian jail last week and allowed to fly home to reunite with her family after six years detained.

But it should have happened six years ago. Of course they won't. "How many Foreign Secretaries does it take for someone to come home? I think that answers your question. "I have seen five foreign secretaries. She said: "They told me 'we want something off the Brits, we will not let you go until such time as we get it'." - adding that a payment leading to her freedom "should have happened six years ago".

She criticised the fact it took five changes of Foreign Secretary before she was released, and added: "What happened now should have happened six years ago.

- Ms Naghari-Ratcliffe was asked if she feels angry with the Government about how long it took to secure her release. It is never going to leave you alone. “Coming back to a daughter who is nearly eight. - She said her experiences in Iran will “always haunt me” and declined to answer a question about what it was like in solitary confinement or what gave her comfort during her time in prison. - Mr Ratcliffethen took to the floor and spoke of his overwhelming joy that his wife has returned home. - Labour MP Ms Siddiq opened the presser by praising the “family who never lost hope” over a gruelling six years. There is a whole lot to catch up.” Her anger was apparent as she continued: “I have seen five foreign secretaries changed over the course of six years. There are so many other people who we don’t know their names who have been suffering.” So there was a time that I felt like, you know what, I’m not going to trust you because I’ve been told many, many times that I’m going to be taken home. Five. It should have been one.” But I was told many, many times that, oh, we’re going to get you home.

The British-Iranian dual national, who was detained for six years in Iran, said she should have been back in the UK “six years ago”.

The MP said there were also questions about why a deal negotiated last year had fallen through and the debt had not been repaid. Her husband and supportive MPs have long claimed she was being used as a bargaining chip in the negotiations. He said he repeatedly advocated payment while serving as a minister but could not find out who was blocking payment. So there was a time when I felt like, do you know what, I’m not even going to trust you because I’ve been told so many times that I’m going to be taken home. “I have seen five foreign secretary changes over the course of six years. What’s happened now should have happened six years ago.”

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The Londoner spoke publicly for the first time after arriving back in the UK from detention in Iran.

“Therefore, I feel I owe it to my constituent Nazanin to ask for a review into the handling of her case. She smiled throughout the press conference and remained remarkably calm and composed even when asked to relive some of the most difficult memories of her time in detention.Those questions which strayed into what she said was "the black hole" of her time in Iran were rebuffed with the most charming of smiles.If she was nervous at meeting the media or her ‘fame’ she didn’t show it though while she spoke she kept her hand on her husband Richard’s leg for support. "I've been waiting for that moment for such a long time. ‘Nazanin calm and composed even when asked to relive some of the most difficult memories’Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s sheer delight and relief at what she described as her "glorious" moment was evident to anyone in the room. "So, I didn't know the details at the time. Speaking of her experience, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe said: "It will always haunt me. It will be with me." “I have seen five foreign secretaries changed over the course of six years. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained on April 3 2016 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini airport after a holiday visit with Gabriella to her parents, thanked those who campaigned for her release, saying she was "powerless" in prison. I mean, how many former secretaries does it take for someone to come out? She was given a five-year sentence in September 2016 and in April of last year was given another year on charges of propaganda against the government. Five? It should have been one.”

The British-Iranian dual national also said: 'What happened now should have happened six years ago.'

“I’ve been waiting for that moment for such a long time. She said she had seen five foreign secretaries over the course of six years, adding: “That is unprecedented given the politics of the UK. I love you Richard, respect whatever you believe, but I was told many, many times that ‘Oh we’re going to get you home’. She told reporters at Portcullis House: “I believe that the meaning of freedom is never going to be complete as to such time that all of us who are unjustly detained in Iran are reunited with our families.

The 43-year-old arrived on a flight into Britain on Thursday after the UK agreed to settle a £400m debt with Iran dating back to 1979.

"I've been waiting for that moment for such a long time. Following an update she had received shortly before the news conference, she said her father had not been given a furlough and had instead been returned to prison. "How many foreign secretaries does it take to get someone home? Her husband said "it's nice to be retiring" from campaigning and he was "immensely pleased and proud" to have her home. She further reflected on her overall experience, saying it will "always haunt her" but that there had been a "black hole" in her heart which she had left on the plane. She said she was "very grateful to whoever has been involved in getting us home" and highlighted the work of her lawyer in Iran who had been "fearlessly fighting" for her release.

British-Iranian woman criticises UK government for length of time it took to secure her release from Tehran jail.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe said she did not believe in her release until the plane left Iranian airspace. She said her experience would always haunt her. “Every human being has got a right to be free. “So, I didn’t know the details at the time. I should not have been in prison for six years.” It should have happened exactly six years ago.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained on April 3 2016 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini Airport after a holiday visit with Gabriella to her ...

So, thank you to everyone who has been part of bringing Nazanin home and making us whole again.” “It’s been a long struggle. Speaking of her experience, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe told reporters: “It will always haunt me.

In a powerful first statement after six years' jail, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe warned the "meaning of freedom is never going to be complete" until other ...

She said "I felt like I was left behind" in Iran adding: "Two of us came home, he was left behind." The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "He is a tri-national. She added: "I shouldn’t have been in prison for six years. In a moving plea, she added the "meaning of freedom is never going to be complete" until Morad Tahbaz and other dual nationals are released and reunited with their families. "But it should have happened six years ago. "How many Foreign Secretaries does it take for someone to come home? She added: "I have seen five foreign secretaries. Ms Siddiq said Nazanin was "warm and motherly", was "in every way", and talked of how she dreamt of doing simple things such as the school run and going to the park with her daughter, Gabriella, seven, while in solitary confinement. She said it was "quite weird" when the pair met in her constituency on Sunday because she had come to know Nazanin's life "so intimately" from speaking to her as she went through her ordeal. I think that answers your question. She said it was "frustrating" and "disappointing" adding "it was my faith" that helped her get through it. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe added “I have been a pawn in the hands of the two governments over the past six years", saying: "What upset me all these years was my life was linked to something that had nothing to do with me."

The British-Iranian was speaking publicly for the first time since her release from Iran last week.

The British-Iranian was speaking publicly for the first time since her release from Iran last week.

As well as thanking her husband, daughter and supporters who got her home, she was also critical of the government - but largely steered clear of answering ...

"I must admit that I felt like my mum would be very, very upset. So there was a time that I felt like, you know what, I'm not going to trust you because I've been told many, many times that I'm going to be taken home. "But that never happened. "I have seen five foreign secretaries changed over the course of six years. But I was told many, many times that, 'oh, we're going to get you home'. That never happened. As well as thanking her husband and supporters who got her home, she was also critical of the government for the delays in paying a 1979 debt to Iran that contributed to her "cruel" six-year detention.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained on April 3 2016 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini Airport after a holiday visit with Gabriella to her ...

So, thank you to everyone who has been part of bringing Nazanin home and making us whole again.” “It’s been a long struggle. Speaking of her experience, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe told reporters: “It will always haunt me.

The 43-year-old British-Iranian mother landed back in Britain on Thursday.

“So, I didn’t know the details at the time. Speaking of her experience, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe said: “It will always haunt me. It will be with me.” And I was overwhelmed, specifically to get to know Gabriella and Richard after such a long time. “That moment was precious. I cannot be happier than this that I’m here.

Alistair Burt, previously a Foreign Office minister, queries delay to payment of cash that freed Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Burt challenged him, leading to a row, but never received a direct response. It is understood Burt has told the committee he is prepared to give evidence in public or private. He said he had reported to the then foreign secretary Boris Johnson (in office from 2016 to 2018) that from his dealings with the then Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, he understood that “payment of the debt was fundamental to their release”.

The British-Iranian dual national also said: 'What happened now should have happened six years ago.'

“I’ve been waiting for that moment for such a long time. Speaking in public for the first time at a press conference following her release from detention, the British-Iranian mother paid tribute to her husband Richard Ratcliffe for his campaign to keep her plight in the spotlight. Speaking in public for the first time at a press conference following her release from detention, the British-Iranian mother paid tribute to her husband Richard Ratcliffe for his campaign to keep her plight in the spotlight.

Jeremy Hunt says Zaghari-Ratcliffe is right to ask why it took the UK so long to bring her home from Iran.

So undoubtedly were the complications over how to pay a country that is sanctioned. Five? “What’s happened now should have happened six years ago.” Following the press conference, some accounts on Twitter criticised Zaghari-Ratcliffe for not being “grateful” that the UK had finally paid the debt and brought her home. The mother-of-one said she was let down by successive foreign secretaries before she was finally freed last week following diplomatic efforts from Liz Truss. Speaking at a press conference in the House of Commons, Zaghari-Ratcliffe said she disagreed with her husband, Richard, who had thanked the government for finally reaching a deal over a £400million debt owed to Iran by the UK over an order for Chieftain tanks more than 40 years ago.

The former foreign secretary said it was the UK which owed the mother-of-one an explanation following her six-year detention in Iran.

The Foreign Office said it complies with sanctions on Iran and will be paid in humanitarian goods rather than in cash. So undoubtedly were the complications over how to pay a country that is sanctioned. So might initial reluctance to pay the debt because people worried it would look like a ransom.

Speaking publicly for the first time since returning home, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe said the UK government knew that Tehran wanted a historic £400-million ...

"Contrary to the public statements that have been made, he's not being reunited with his family. I shouldn't have been in prison for six years," she said. there are so many other people we don't know their names who have been suffering in prison in Iran." And he certainly has not been given a furlough, as was part of the deal that was presented to us. She worked for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the news and data agency, and was arrested in Tehran on a visit to see family in 2016, accused of plotting to overthrow the regime. She described herself as "a pawn in the hands of two governments" who had been caught up in a wider dispute that had "nothing to do" with her, and said all those unfairly detained in Iran in similar circumstances should be freed.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on the “tough” journey back home following six “cruel” years of detention in Iran. Ratcliffe speaks in the first press conference ...

Her release came after the UK government paid a £400 million debt to Iran dating back to the 1970s, although both governments have said the two issues should not be linked.Speaking to the media in Westminster, Zaghari-Ratcliffe thanked all those who had worked to get her released, paying tribute to her “amazing, wonderful” husband, Richard Ratcliffe, who she said had campaigned tirelessly.“Over the past six years, it has been cruel, what happened to me,” she said.You may also likeNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: the British-Iranian detainee has arrived back in the UK after 6 yearsWhile she declined to answer the majority of questions about what it was like in solitary confinement or her time in prison, she shared that her experiences will “always haunt” her.“There is no other way around it. Five. It should have been one.”“What happened now should have happened six years ago.”You may also likeNazanin: a new Channel 4 documentary will tell the story of the fight to free Nazanin Zaghari-RatcliffeZaghari-Ratcliffe also called for an end to the detention of other dual nationals still held in Iran, saying without their release “the meaning of freedom is never going to be complete”. Speaking of Morad Tahbaz, a British-born wildlife conservationist who remains detained in Iran, she said: “He should have been on the same flight as us.”“I don’t think anybody’s life should be linked to a global kind of agreement, whatever that is, whether it’s nuclear, whether it’s environment or whatever,” she said.“Every human being has got the right to be free.”Sign up for the latest news and must-read features from Stylist, so you don't miss out on the conversation.By entering my email I agree to Stylist’s Privacy Policy But I think at the moment I would rather just focus on the moments of coming back.” Instead, she said that she was looking forward to taking her daughter on the school run and getting to know her friends.Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family attend a press conference in Westminster on Monday 21 MarchWhen asked if she was angry it took so long to secure her release, Zaghari-Ratcliffe replied: “I always felt like I was holding this black hole in my heart all these years, but I’m just going to leave that black hole on the plane when it lands.”She described the journey back to the UK as “tough” and criticised the foreign secretaries who attempted to secure her release, even publicly disagreeing with her husband when he thanked them.“I grant what Richard said to thank the foreign secretary, I do not really agree with him on that level,” she said. At a press conference held yesterday by Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, she spoke of the “cruelty” of her imprisonment and the “catching up” she has to do with her daughter after the family were reunited on Thursday.Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested on spying charges while visiting her parents in Iran, with her then two-year-old daughter, Gabriella, in April 2016. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on the “tough” journey back home following six “cruel” years of detention in IranAdd this article to your list of favouritesNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe spoke publicly for the first time last night since being released from Iranian detention on Thursday. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has spoken publicly for the first time since she returned to the UK after being detained in Iran for six years. So there was a time that I felt like, you know what, I’m not going to trust you because I’ve been told many, many times that I’m going to be taken home.“But that never happened.

Ex-foreign secretary says slow repayment of debt and turnover of foreign secretaries may have slowed down release.

So there was a time when I felt like, do you know what, I’m not even going to trust you because I’ve been told so many times that I’m going to be taken home. What’s happened now should have happened six years ago.” “I have seen five foreign secretary changes over the course of six years. "She’s absolutely right that it took too long to bring her home. But that never happened! "Those criticising Nazanin have got it so wrong.