“Dominic Raab, MP, the UK’s former Foreign Minister, publicly stated that sanctions were not ‘off the table’ as the UAE continued to detain Matthew Hedges, alleging he was a spy. Hedges has since taken legal action in the UK against his torturers.

“What’s even more appalling is the Hedges torture was not the first instance either. It seems that we have come to accept that the Emirates will torture foreign nationals”, Stirling continued.

“British courts refuse to extradite to the UAE based on the ‘real risk of human rights violations and torture’, and yet the British government has failed to warn citizens on the FCO travel advisory website. Moreover, business, trade, commerce, security, arts and education projects are actively promoted by the British government. It beggars belief.