The United Arab Emirates has said it wants to reach an amicable conclusion to the dispute over the British academic Matthew Hedges, who was jailed for life on espionage charges this week. Both sides hope to find an amicable solution to the Matthew Hedges case.” It insisted that Hedges had been treated fairly and said it was determined to protect its important strategic relationship with Britain – a key ally. “I was under the impression that they were putting their interests with the UAE above a British citizen’s right to freedom and a fair trial. The Tory MPs Johnny Mercer and Crispin Blunt condemned the jailing of Hedges and called for the British government to act. She said there was no immediate plan to change the travel advice to the 120,000 British citizens resident in the UAE or to the 11 British universities represented there.

Source: The Guardian November 22, 2018 10:17 UTC