Richard Ratcliffe ended his 21-day hunger strike on Saturday.

He was much heartened by many expressions of support from the public and some politicians though he did notice that relatively few Conservative MPs were in this number.

I hope this ‘few’ included York Outer MP Julian Sturdy.

Let’s hope Richard Ratcliffe’s long-term courage and devotion reap benefits that ultimately lead to his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, being released.

It seems she’s being used as a political/diplomatic pawn by the Iranian authorities. There are a number of other people of dual nationality languishing in captivity in Iran but thanks in no small measure to her husband’s efforts, Nazanin’s is the highest profile case.

Many expect or hope that work is going on behind closed doors, with our new dynamic Foreign Secretary really hands-on and taking the lead.

Let’s hope this trust isn’t forlorn. It’s about four years since a faux pas by then Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson didn’t exactly help matters.

If paying the £400m ‘Chieftain tank debt’ to Iran might play a significant part in securing Mrs Ratcliffe’s release, then pay it: it’s a drop in the ocean compared with the billions the Government has squandered in recent years.

Derek Reed, Middlethorpe Drive, York