The son of a British couple jailed in Iran for ‘spying’ has called for a prisoner swap as No 10 rules out exchanging Britain’s ‘worst stalker’ with Tehran.
Joe Bennett, whose mother and step-father have been detained in Iran since January 2025, said deporting Iranian national Richard Jan in exchange for his parents could secure their release – and questioned why this has not been considered.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in February on espionage charges which they deny. Both are currently on hunger strike in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.
An appeal by their family to the UK Government to secure their release included suggestions of swapping convicted Iranian stalker Richard Jan, who was jailed for life in 2004, for the couple.
However, Downing Street has pushed back at the idea of a prisoner swap.
A Government spokesperson said there was ‘no truth whatsoever’ to a potential exchange agreement.
They said giving credence to such claims is ‘not only wrong,’ but ‘risks hindering all the other efforts currently being made by this Government to secure the Foremans’ release.’
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said external ‘arrangements’ of this kind can be made, however, ‘the specifics on this would not be right.’
Lindsay and Craig Foreman were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in Iran on espionage charges which they deny
An appeal by the Foremans’ family to the UK Government to secure their release included suggestions of swapping convicted Iranian stalker Richard Jan (pictured)
Joe Bennett, whose mother and step-father have been detained in Iran since January 2025, said deporting Iranian national Richard Jan in exchange for his parents could secure their release
He said: ‘I’m not sure from what I’ve heard that this is… credible’.
The justice secretary, speaking on Sky News, said he was unable to discuss the specifics of the Foremans’ case as it could ‘undermine the discussions that we’re having with the Iranians’.
Mr Bennett, from Folkestone in Kent, said there was an ‘obvious interest’ in Jan for an exchange, and questioned what alternative solution would be presented to his family by the Government if an exchange of Jan is not deemed ‘solution or a viable path.’
He said: ‘I think the question that we’ve got to ask is, if this isn’t a solution or a viable path forward, why isn’t it?
‘Because there seems to be a lot surrounding this gentleman and as I say, a very big interest from Iran.’
Mr Bennett, speaking on BBC News, added: ‘If it’s the case that he’s deported and my mum and Craig come back, then I need to know, if we are not exploring it, then why?
‘And secondly, if we’re not going to explore it, then what are the other solutions that we’re looking at?’
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 53, were handed 10-year prison sentences in February following convictions of espionage.
Downing Street has pushed back at the idea of a prisoner swap for the couple
A government spokesperson added there was ‘no truth whatsoever’ to a potential exchange agreement with Jan
They were jailed after their arrest in January 2025 while passing through Iran on a round-the-world trip they were taking by motorbike.
Earlier this month, the couple lost an appeal against their convictions.
Their family have raised concerns that their communication with the couple has been severed as they enter into a hunger strike in protest of their convictions.
Speaking to The Telegraph, an unnamed source said Iranian authorities raised Jan’s case to the Government and to family members of the Foreman’s during consular discussions.
Jan, who has been dubbed ‘Britain’s worst stalker’ was jailed for life after targeting 200 victims across seven years, including a councillor whose home he fire-bombed and a social worker whose car he torched.
The former biochemist, of Streatham in south London, had over 4,500 threatening calls linked to him – which police called the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of his actions.
Jan’s victims were subjected to ‘trademark’ tyre slashings, while others were followed home, sent unwanted pizzas, taxis and even a pest control officer.
Some of his victims were forced to quit their jobs, move homes or change names.
Jan, who has been dubbed ‘Britain’s worst stalker’ was jailed for life after targeting 200 victims across seven years
Mr Foreman, who previously spoke to Sky News via telephone, deemed the lack of action in facilitating the swap with Jan as ‘very frustrating.’
He said: ‘When this guy’s name was mentioned, both me and Lindsay were slightly miffed but excited to think this could actually be happening now. There could be a prisoner swap on the table here.
‘To date, nothing has happened but there’s definitely something there.
‘There’s been a carrot dangled. No action seems to have been taken yet. It is very frustrating.’
