Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been urged by over 60 UK MPs and peers to impose targeted sanctions on United Arab Emirates (UAE) figures unless a 72-year-old British citizen, Ryan Cornelius, is freed from Dubai prison. Cornelius has been incarcerated for 18 years, a period during which supporters claim he has been arbitrarily detained.
Cornelius was convicted in 2008 of fraud related to a £372 million loan to his business from the Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB). However, the UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has ruled that his detention is arbitrary and has called for his release and compensation for human rights abuses. In a letter sent on Friday, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, called on the British government to formally request Cornelius's release by December 2, UAE National Day, presenting an opportunity for clemency.
The letter, signed by 69 MPs and peers, states that "private representations by the British Government are demonstrably not working." It urges the government to impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for his continued detention, specifically naming Mohammad Ibrahim Al Shaibani, former Chairman of the Dubai Islamic Bank, and demanding a public explanation if sanctions are not imposed. "The United Kingdom cannot allow a British citizen to remain arbitrarily detained, essentially for life, without consequences for those responsible," the letter asserts.
Sir Iain told the Daily Mail that it is "utterly unacceptable that British citizens should face what amounts to a life sentence with trumped up charges following proceedings condemned by the United Nations." He added that "quiet diplomacy has achieved nothing" and that "if it refuses, there must be consequences, including targeted sanctions against those responsible for prolonging his detention."
Cornelius was initially sentenced to 10 years, which was extended by 20 years in 2018, pushing his release date to May 2038 when he would be 84. His family fears he may not survive to see his release. His wife, Heather, expressed despair over the protracted detention and the perceived inaction of successive British governments. Cornelius's health has reportedly been declining in prison, with instances of COVID-19, high blood pressure, cholesterol, borderline diabetes, and untreated tuberculosis.
His case has gained the attention of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, founded by Bill Browder, who described the situation as a "complete travesty of justice." Browder believes that Al Shaibani's recent departure from his roles opens a "window of opportunity for the UAE government to grant clemency."
In Parliament on October 27, 2026, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband publicly agreed that Ryan Cornelius should be released, stating, "It is something we are discussing with our UAE counterparts." This marked the first public statement of its kind from a Foreign Secretary.
Despite these developments, Cornelius's family and human rights campaigners have criticized the UK government for prioritizing economic ties with the UAE over the freedom of its citizens. The family has lost all their assets, including properties in London, and Mrs. Cornelius has been rendered homeless.
The UAE government has stated that due process was followed in Cornelius's trial and that his sentence extension was lawful. They maintain that all prisoners receive necessary medical care and that the judicial system is independent and equitable. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that the UK government continues to raise Cornelius's case with UAE authorities and provide consular support.