The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been sharply criticised by a cross-party committee of MPs for failing to provide adequate support to Britons in distress overseas, including those alleging torture in foreign prisons. The report from the foreign affairs select committee says it is 'gravely concerned' that allegations of torture are not being handled properly and that families of Britons killed abroad often feel 'entirely let down'.
The committee's findings, based on evidence from the public, former ambassadors and NGOs, point to cost-cutting and an 'over-reliance on internet-based services' as key factors undermining consular support. Since 2010, the FCO's budget has been cut by 30%, from £2.4bn to £1.7bn, leading to the closure of 15 consular posts and a reduction in UK-based staff from over 5,000 to 4,600, while locally hired staff have increased to 9,200.
The report highlights specific cases where families felt abandoned. Diane Ashton, mother of Stephen Ashton who was killed at a Thai full-moon party in 2012, described receiving 'totally unacceptable' service, noting that the Metropolitan Police had sent more formal correspondence about a stolen mobile phone than the FCO did about her son's death. In another case, Kirsty Thomas said her partner Lee Talbot, detained in Tunisia since August for cannabis possession, has received minimal support, with only one official visit so far.
The committee also slammed the decision to stop issuing passports abroad, calling it deeply unpopular and poorly communicated. The MPs warned that a lack of personal contact risks dehumanising the support system, and urged the FCO to improve its response to vulnerable Britons, particularly those alleging torture or facing imprisonment overseas.
