Jacqui Lait MP, Beckenham

Following the unlawful persecution of Bahá'í leaders in Iran, members of the Bromley Bahá'í community wrote to their MPs to raise awareness and ask for support on a local level. Ms Bahiyyih Barnett, wrote to Mrs Jacqui Lait MP, Beckenham; Mr Clive King, contacted Mr John Horam MP, Biggin Hill; and Mr Anousha Vahdaty, approached Mr Robert Neil MP, Bromley & Chislehurst. "The Bromley Bahá'ís" states Clive King "are gravely concerned about the summary and unjust arrest on 14 May 2008 of six members of the group that informally coordinate the activities of the Bahá'ís in Iran".

From left: Kishan Manocha, Lembit Öpik, Bahar Tahzib, Barney Leith

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has underlined the UK government's concern over the seven Bahá'í leaders being detained in Iran. Mr Brown's remarks were made at a meeting which took place this afternoon at the Prime Minister's office in the Houses of Parliament, attended by Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire - who is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Friends of the Bahá'ís group - and a delegation of three Bahá'ís, including two members of the national governing council of the Bahá'í Faith in the UK.