MP demands PM Theresa May not to sign ‘immoral’ trade deals on Delhi visit while Chennai Six rot in Indian jail
One of the wrongly jailed ex-soldiers’ MPs, Chris Matheson, has written to May to urge her to make a show of defiance
THERESA May must refuse to sign any new trade deals in India this week until the Chennai Six forces heroes are freed, an MP has demanded.
The PM begins her first visit to Delhi since taking power today to build post-Brexit bridges with the emerging Asian superpower.
But one of the wrongly jailed ex-soldiers’ MPs, Chris Matheson, has written to Mrs May to urge her to make a show of defiance.
Making money with India while the six are rotting in a Chennai jail after being wrongly convicted of gun running would be immoral, the Labour MP for Chester has insisted.
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In a letter to the PM before she left, he told her that “political pressure to find a solution can be exerted”.
He added: “The discussions on trade are a very good way to raise their cause”.
Mrs May has already pledged to bring up the Chennai Six’s plight in talks with Indian Premier Narendra Modi.
Mr Matheson is MP for and a personal friend of 41-year-old Ray Tindall, an ex-Army sniper.
The former sergeant, with the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, is one of the six sentenced to five years in prison under the false charges of illegally importing weapons.
They had full government permission to carry them while work as anti-piracy guards on a ship.
Mr Matheson told The Sun: “My request is simple. These lads are innocent, they are ex-squaddies who we owe a debt of gratitude to for their service to our country, and we want them back home.
“So I don’t think there should be any substantive talks on trade deals with India until they are released and brought back home.”
He added: “If India wants to deport them now, that’s fine by me and I reckon the lads won’t mind either.
“They just want to get home.”
The others held are John Armstrong, 29 from Cumbria, Nick Dunn, 30, from Northumberland, Nicholas Simpson, 46, of Catterick, North Yorks, Paul Towers, 53, of Pocklington, East Yorks, and Billy Irving, 36, from Oban.