Question
8. What diplomatic steps he is taking to support UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad.
Answer
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.33% vibes
Verdict: GREEN (82/100)
The reply addresses the question directly. It sets out concrete diplomatic steps taken in detention cases, including raising welfare and process concerns with the detaining state, and names a special envoy, Alistair Burt, for complex consular detentions. It also states that UN Working Group opinions are taken into account when assessing arbitrary detention cases. This is a clear, committed answer, though the case-by-case detail is not individually specified.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What the department is doing diplomatically to support UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad | Addressed | Direct | The reply describes concrete diplomatic action: support tailored to each case, including raising welfare and process concerns with the detaining state, and a named envoy for complex consular detentions (Alistair Burt) who is working closely with the minister. It also notes that UN Working Group opinions are considered, which bears on how the department judges arbitrary detention cases. |