Joe Bennett, the son of British couple Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman, has publicly called for a prisoner swap to secure his parents' release from Tehran's Evin Prison. The Foremans, both aged 53, were sentenced to ten years in February 2025 on espionage charges they deny, and are currently on hunger strike. Bennett is urging the UK government to consider deporting Iranian national Richard Jan — a convicted stalker dubbed Britain's worst — in exchange for the couple, but Downing Street has firmly rejected the proposal, according to the source report.

The Foremans' 10-Year Sentence and Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran on a round-the-world motorbike trip. In February, the couple received a ten-year prison sentence after being convicted of espionage, charges they both deny. according to the report, the Foremans have lost an appeal against their convictions and their family reports that communication with them has been severed as they continue a hunger strike inside Tehran's Evin Prison, a facility notorious for its harsh conditions.

Why Richard Jan — Britain's 'Worst' Stalker — Is Central to the Swap Call

Richard Jan, a former biochemist from Streatham, was sentenced to life in 2004 for a seven-year stalking campaign involving over 200 victims. his crimes included threats, arson, and harassment that forced some victims to change identities. bennett argues that Jan's case is of clear interest to Iranian authorities,making him a potential bargaining chip. The source report notes that Iranian authorities have raised Jan's case during consular discussions, suggesting Tehran may see value in his return.

The UK Government's Rejection and David Lammy's 'Not Right' Objection

The UK government has dismissed the swap proposal outright.. A government spokesperson warned that pursuing such a narrative could hinder ongoing diplomatic efforts, and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated that while external arrangements can be considered, the specific proposal involving Richard Jan 'would not be right,' according to the report. Bennett has questioned the government's reasoning,asking why the swap is not being pursued and what alternative solutions are being explored.

Iran's Mention of Richard Jan During Consular Talks: A Diplomatic Signal?

Reports indicate that Iranian authorities raised Richard Jan's case during consular discussions with UK officials. This suggests that Tehran may be signaling an interest in a trade, even as Downing Street denies any such agreement. The family has described the lack of action as 'very frustrating,' noting that Jan's name was mentioned as a possibility but no concrete steps were taken.. it remains unclear what the UK government's alternative strategy is to secure the Foremans' release, and why the family's communication has been severed without explanation. The broader pattern of Iran using Western detainees as leverage — long observed in cases like Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe — raises questions about whether diplomatic channels are being fully pursed.