The Zaghari-Ratcliffe family deserve better

The Zaghari-Ratcliffe fiasco is one of the biggest stains on British foreign policy this century (Guardian view, 19 November).

At least defence minister Ben Wallace has finally acknowledged the debt to Iran for the tanks that were never delivered, and morally Britain should have paid up long ago rather than let this family suffer so wretchedly. It may stick in the craw to pay such a large sum to a vile and vindictive regime and will certainly be seen by many to condone or encourage the Iranian hostage-taking. As to why Boris Johnson broke his previous promise: that’s par for the course.

Michael Prevezer Harrow, England, UK