MP Jonathan Edwards has visited the husband of Iranian detainee Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe outside the UK Foreign Office in London, saying “it is a tragedy that has touched the hearts of many”.

Richard Ratcliffe is on the 18th day of his hunger strike camping outside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national, has been detained in Iran since 2016.

She had been taking the couple’s daughter, Gabriella, to see her family when she was arrested over plotting to overthrow the Tehran government, which she denies, and was sentenced to five years in jail shortly afterwards, spending four years in prison and one under house arrest.

Jonathan Edwards, the Independent MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr said: “Many constituents over the years have written to me in support of the Ratcliffe family. It is a tragedy that has touched the hearts of many.

"I was pleased to have the opportunity to send warm greetings to Mr Ratcliffe during his hunger strike from my constituents. He was in extremely strong spirits considering the ordeal he and the family have gone through."

Earlier this week Mr Ratcliffe urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to meet the Iranian delegate at COP26 to demand the freedom of Britons detained in Evin prison, including his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.