Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s family ‘horrified and distressed’ after Iranian state TV says Boris Johnson gaffe reveals British mum was part of ‘real plot’ against the state
NAZANIN Zaghari-Ratcliffe's family are "horrified and distressed" after Iranian TV said Boris Johnson's comments about the jailed British mum were proof she was plotting against the state.
The Foreign Secretary incorrectly stated last week that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was "teaching journalism"; in Iran when she was arrested - but the charity worker was in fact on holiday.
The 38-year-old has been held for 18 months in Iran on spying charges, with her partner Richard Ratcliffe fighting to get her freed so she can return home to her family.
The British mum, who travelled to the country so her mother could meet her daughter, could now see her jail term increased.
She was hauled back to court last weekend to face new charges of "propaganda against the regime".
Mr Johnson was forced to call Iran to "clarify" his comments, but has been assured that the new charges were not related to his words.
Yesterday Iranian state TV said that Boris' slip-up was a "confession about her real plot".
In an item called "confession", the TV channel said: "Mr Johnson's inadvertent confession meant that [she] was teaching some Iranian journalists - it was a gaffe that can not be covered up."
Husband Richard said that it "feels like parts of the Iranian regime are still using the Foreign Secretary's comments against Nanzanin."
Nazanin's parents watched the evening news report in "horror" last night and they are still in a "state of shock and disbelief".
They accused the state media of dishing out "elaborate lies" and Nanzanin's daughter Gabriella was said to be too distressed to eat.
This morning the former head of the diplomatic service at the Foreign Office slammed Mr Johnson's comments, and said his conduct was a "real problem" for Britain.
Lord Rickett told BBC News: "It just shows that the precise words you use as Foreign Secretary are really important
The country needs a Foreign Secretary who projects authority and commands respect... it's not the first gaffe.
"He has not succeeded in convincing people he is a serious heavy-weight politician, and that is a real problem."
Last night Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband begged Mr Johnson to take him to Iran as his visa application has been repeatedly denied.
Mr Ratcliffe told The Sun: “I will ask Boris if I can come with him when he visits Teheran, and travel under his protection.
"Not seeing Nazanin and my daughter in all this time has been really tough."
The couple's three-year-old daughter Gabriela has been "praying to God" for her mother to come home.
The Foreign Secretary has pledged to fly out to try to secure Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release in a bid to make amends for his gaffe that could see her locked up for five extra years.
And he said he was "sorry" if his words were "misconstrued".
But MPs have demanded his resignation for the error and said he did not understand the magnitude of his job.
Tulip Siddiq, the MP who represents the couple in North London, said his errors could mean "life and death" for Nazanin.
Shadow Minister Dawn Butler added: "This is so tragic" Boris needs to act quickly and aid the release of Nazanin or step down."
And Former Tory minister Anna Soubry said: "The lack of contrition is as shameful as the original error.
"Boris Johnson doesn't understand the magnitude of the job and responsibility he holds."
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