Keir Starmer’s comments came as Jagtar Singh Johal’s brother urged the PM to say ‘enough is enough’ ahead of crucial talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai
Keir Starmer has insisted the government hasn’t forgotten about Jagtar Singh Johal – a British man jailed in India for almost eight years.
The PM’s comments came as Jagtar’s brother, Gurpreet, urged Mr Starmer to say “enough is enough” ahead of crucial talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai. The 38-year-old Sikh activist, from Dumbarton near Glasgow, was arrested in November 2017 in India – just weeks after his wedding there.
Mr Johal who faces terror charges was acquitted earlier this year in one case but he still faces charges from Indian authorities. The British Sikh has claimed to be subject to torture, and his imprisonment was recognised by a UN panel as arbitrary detention in 2022.
Asked if he had forgotten about Jagtar, the PM replied: “No, not in the slightest. I think you will know that when I met with Prime Minister Modi in July it was raised. The Foreign Secretary has been meeting family members. Of course we always raise consular cases on every level.”
Earlier this week Jagtar’s brother Gurpreet said: “I think the Prime Minister is the best-placed person to strongly advocate for Jagtar’s release given in eight years, no evidence has been produced.”
READ MORE: Family of Brit banged up in India blast David Cameron for not calling for his release
He added: “The Indians continuously prolong his detention, and if they haven’t produced the evidence in eight years, it is not likely they’re going to produce any evidence.
“Keir Starmer should be saying enough is enough, and bringing Jagtar back home.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said this week: “We continue to raise concerns about Mr Johal’s prolonged detention with the Government of India at every opportunity and the Foreign Secretary will shortly meet with Mr Johal’s brother to discuss the ongoing situation.”
READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster