RORY DELIGHTED AT BAIL FOR WIGTON SAILOR HELD IN INDIA

Rory today said he has been “delighted that hard work and common sense have finally prevailed” in response to the news that his Wigton constituent John Armstrong – a maritime security guard – has been bailed today after a long campaign involving the family, and MPs from across the house. He has been bailed from prison in Chennai following months of incarceration in south-east India. The administration involved in the bail order means that the men are unlikely to be freed before Friday, but it is expected that they can now be in closer contact with their families.

In a brief statement Rory Stewart said: “Today’s outcome follows months of very, very delicate negotiations between Ministers, advisors, lawyers and Indian officials. I and my five parliamentary colleagues, all of whom represent affected constituents, have spent a great deal of time lobbying the Foreign Office and pushing as strongly as we could for the release of the men, mindful always of the very sensitive diplomatic implications of their arrest. The news of today’s bail order is very, very welcome, and we need now to focus on the men’s wellbeing now that they are out of prison, and attend to any urgent medical needs, as we assess the next steps.”