A Scot imprisoned and tortured in India after a tip-off by British intelligence has called on Liz Truss to “show more guts” than her predecessors and secure his release after five years in prison.
Jagtar Singh Johal passed his lawyers a handwritten note addressed to Truss yesterday during a court appearance, the first time he has been seen in public since January last year.
In it, he congratulated Truss on her appointment as prime minister and said he hoped his “freedom will not be traded in return” for a trade deal that London is seeking to complete with Delhi before the end of October. Truss is expected to visit India to finalise a deal.
Jagtar’s brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, a solicitor in Dumbarton, said it was a “bittersweet feeling” to read his brother’s words. He added: “As prime minister, Liz Truss is the only person who can end our nightmare, by demanding Jagtar’s release immediately.”
Reprieve said it was clear that Johal would not be released without British intervention, adding: “The only appropriate remedy is his immediate release — and that is only likely to happen if the UK government demands it.” Read the full story in The Times.