Good afternoon everyone
Firstly, thank you so much for your kind words and offers of support. We are once again humbled and blessed by the kindness of strangers and friends alike. Today has been made infinitely easier with you behind us.
Lots of people are requesting a letter template for MPs. I have drafted a short one below, based on the previous one we drafted a month ago, which I believe should provide a good foundation to work from. Please feel free to use or reword:
Dear <Insert MP’s name here>
I am writing to you today as a concerned constituent in the urgent hope that you will support with a time-sensitive issue.
You will no doubt have seen by now the case of Jim Fitton, a retired geologist and British Citizen arrested in Iraq under dubious charges of smuggling historical artifacts. Jim has now been unjustly sentenced to 15 years in prison. If you are not aware of the situation you can read the full story here: https://www.change.org/p/our-father-is-facing-the-death-penalty-in-iraq-freejimfitton/u/30498943
The Fittons’ MP, Wera Hobhouse, is running a parliamentary campaign to urge the foreign office to engage with the family and support them with their appeal to get Jim home safe. However, so far these calls have fallen on deaf ears and decision makers at the foreign office have remained completely silent on the issue. The family have had no engagement from any ministers, no matter how junior, regarding this terrible and time sensitive issue.
Jim’s appeal will run for the next 30 days, after which it will be too late to step in. Please use your position to lobby the government, and work with Wera to ensure that Foreign Office ministers and the Foreign Secretary engage with the family as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to contact Wera directly and ask how best to help. We have the opportunity to save the life of a British Citizen in dire need of help.
Yours Sincerely,
<Sign your name>
If you don’t know your MP you can find out by entering your postcode on the government portal here:
Thank you again - we'll be in touch as things develop. For now, any help you can give is greatly appreciated.
All the best
Leila, Sam, Josh and Sarijah