TheBritish-Iranian dual national, who was detained for six years in Iran,said she should have been back in the UK “six years ago”.Speakingin parliament on Monday at her first press conference, she said she did“not really agree” that she should be thanking the foreign secretaryfor her return.
“I have seen five foreign secretary changes overthe course of six years. That is unprecedented given the politics of the ,” she told the assembled media.
“But I was told, many manytimes, ‘We’re going to get you home.’ That never happened. So there was atime when I felt like, do you know what, I’m not even going to trustyou because I’ve been told so many times that I’m going to be takenhome. But that never happened! Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch hassuggested the British Empire brought “good things” to communities as sheurged telling “both sides” of history.
Having gone to school inLagos, Nigeria, she said she was taught about Britain’s past with anuanced description that has influenced her view on the former empire.
“Therewere terrible things that happened during the British Empire, therewere other good things that happened, and we need to tell both sides ofthe story,” she told Times Radio.
“I think my upbringing and schooling in another country has really influenced the way that I look at these things.
“Therewasn’t any sort of attempt to describe the British Empire as thisawful, terrible thing that oppressed and victimised us.”