British mum jailed for ‘spying’ in Iran is being held over £500million arms debt owed by UK, her husband claims
The charity worker was locked up for five years in September for being a 'Western spy'
A BRITISH mum jailed for spying in Iran is still behind bars because she is being used as a "bargaining chip", her husband fears.
Richard Ratcliffe believes wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is still languishing in prison because of an outstanding arms debt between the UK and Iran.
The British-Iranian mum was locked up for five years in September after being accused of being a Western spy.
The Thomson Reuters charity worker was visiting family in April with her now two-year-old daughter, Gabriella, when she was detained at Tehran Airport.
Richard, who hasn't seen his wife or daughter for over seven months, said claims by Iran that his wife is a spy are political code for a "bargaining chip with Britain".
He said his family has been "caught up" in a disagreement between the two countries, claiming the UK owes about £500 million for a tank deal 40 years ago.
The dad, from Hampstead, north London, said: "There is a link as to why Nazanin is still being held and the UK government's reluctance to pay its debts. My family are caught as collateral."
The Foreign Office has rejected the claim, saying it is doing all it can to help the charity worker and her family.
On Friday, Nazanin’s family announced she had ended a five-day hunger strike amid fears they had for her health.
The issue of her detention will be raised at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
The family of UK-Iranian dual national Kamal Foroughi have also been campaigning for his release from an eight-year jail term.
The 77-year-old oil and gas company consultant was convicted of espionage and possessing alcohol.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We understand what a difficult time this is for Mr Foroughi, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and their families.
"Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood has met with the families personally to reassure them that we are doing all we can to help them.
"We have raised their cases with the Iranian government at the highest levels and will continue to do so at every opportunity.
"Iran does not recognise dual nationality and therefore does not grant access to dual nationals."
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