Foreign minister visits British seamen held in India

Nick Dunn, from Ashington, was arrested onboard a ship in Indian waters in October 2013 Credit: Dunn Family

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire has travelled to India to meet six British seamen, including two from our region, who were imprisoned there in January.

The men were arrested for firearms offences in October 2013 with their crew mates onboard the MV Seaman Guard Ohio. Among those detained were Nick Dunn, from Ashington in Northumberland, and Nicholas Simpson, from Catterick in North Yorkshire.

All six men were sentenced to five years imprisonment in January 2015. They have consistently contested the charges against them and are appealing their convictions.

The Minister visited the men in Puzhal I Prison to discuss the UK Government’s ongoing efforts on their behalf. Mr Swire also raised the case in meetings with Indian government Ministers in Delhi and in Chennai, where he asked for the case to be resolved swiftly.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (left) is greeted by Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Minister of State for Asia, Hugo Swire, said:

Mr Swire’s visit to India follows his meeting in Carlisle last month with the families of the six seamen.

Lisa Dunn, the sister of Nick Dunn, said the minister's trip was a clear indication of the UK Government's support for her brother's appeal. She told ITV Tyne Tees: