Oral QuestionForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office

“What diplomatic steps he is taking to support UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad.”

Tabled: 21 October 2026Answered: 27 October 2026

Asked by

Douglas McAllister

Labour — West Dunbartonshire

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Answer from Hansard

The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)

We take all allegations of arbitrary detention very seriously, considering all available information and any opinions issued by the UN working group on arbitrary detention. Our support is tailored to each individual, and may include raising welfare or concerns about process, where needed. Reflecting our commitment to supporting British nationals detained overseas, we have appointed the right hon. Alistair Burt as our first envoy for complex consular detentions to work on these matters, and I am working with him very closely on this.