Nazanin Zaghari-Racliffe Rally: Emma Thompson Accuses Boris Johnson Of Doing 'Sweet FA' To Free Her

Actress tells him: 'Get on a bloody plane and get on with it... do your job'.

Actress Emma Thompson has accused Boris Johnson of doing “sweet FA” for the British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran.

The actress was speaking at a march for the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was arrested in Tehran while on holiday last April. She and the couple’s daughter Gabriella, three, have been in Iran ever since.

Boris Johnson fuelled public attention to her case when he mistakenly said she was in Iran to train journalists, which Iranian authorities seized on as evidence she was a spy.

Thompson was among the Hampstead locals who attended a “Mum’s March” for Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose husband Richard Ratcliffe wants her back by Christmas.

Richard Ratcliffe joined actor Emma Thompson in West Hampstead, north London, on Saturday
Richard Ratcliffe joined actor Emma Thompson in West Hampstead, north London, on Saturday
PA Wire/PA Images

She told LBC that Johnson had to “get on a bloody plane and get on with it... do your job”, adding Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release was a “matter of urgency”.

Before the march, Zaghari-Ratcliffe - who speaks to her husband at least weekly - spoke by phone and loud speaker to the crowd, saying she “doesn’t deserve her husband” and thanked people for their “love and support”.

Speaking about her hopes to be released, she said: “I can’t wait for that day.”

The family before Zaghari-Ratcliffe's arrest
The family before Zaghari-Ratcliffe's arrest
Changeorg

She has endured health scares, including lumps in her breasts that she initially feared were cancerous and her husband has repeatedly warned her mental health is worsening.

Thompson went out to march despite being ill with pneumonia and only being able to address the crowd through her husband Greg Wise.

Emma Thompson joins Nazanin rally in West Hampstead. She has pneumonia so had to speak to crowd through her husband Greg Wise. pic.twitter.com/hGxIhmp8qV

— Tom Foot (@tomfoot1) November 25, 2017

She added her voice to those calling for Zaghari-Ratcliffe to be brought home by Christmas.

People carried signs demanding her release, many focussed on Johnson, whose gaffe has left the threat of more prison time hanging over her.

“Boris hear our voices,” said one. “Give them a family Christmas,” said another.

A sign at the march which was held in a north London suburb
A sign at the march which was held in a north London suburb
PA Wire/PA Images

MP Tulip Siddiq, who has fought her constituent’s release and met Johnson alongside Ratcliffe last week, was also at the march.

Thompson, Ratcliffe and Siddiq (right) on the march
Thompson, Ratcliffe and Siddiq (right) on the march
PA Wire/PA Images

The march went to the Islamic Centre in Maida Vale, where they delivered a letter addressed to Iran’s Supreme Leader, calling for her release.

Zaghari-Ratclife is due to face another court date on December 10, diminishing hopes she could be free by Christmas.

Ratcliffe told HuffPost UK he still had hope and said the fresh court date might see Johnson’s remarks included as evidence against her.

Close

What's Hot