Sir David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, today visited Pankrac Prison in Prague to meet with a British Citizen, Lakhbir Sandhu, who is currently being detained.

Sir David was accompanied by Lakhbir’s father Kulbir. Sir David also attended a meeting with the British Ambassador to the Czech Republic to discuss the case, as well as a meeting with Lakhbir’s solicitor.

Sir David’s visit allowed him to meet with Lakhbir in person, and to see the conditions of the Czech prison in which he is being kept.

It also allowed him to learn at first hand the process of the Czech Courts, and the way in which he has been charged.

Mr Lakhbir Sandhu was a Senior Gas Trader with Npower. He has been detained in the Czech Republic since his arrest on 8th January 2019 and was finally charged last month.

The first hearing of the trial took place on 4th February. Lakhbir is the only British Citizen currently being detained in the Czech Republic.

In September 2019, Lakhbir’s parents, Kulbir and Bhupinder, attended one of Sir David’s constituency advice surgeries to seek his support.

The Southend West MP immediately offered to do all that he could to assist the Sandhu family.

In recent months, Sir David has asked Parliamentary Questions, made representations to British Government Ministers, contacted both the British and Czech Ambassadors and asked for assistance from charitable organisations such as Amnesty International and Prisoners Abroad.

Contact has been maintained with the British Embassy in Prague to ensure that Lakhbir receives as much care and assistance as possible.

Speaking after the visit, Sir David said “It was essential in dealing with this case that I met Lakhbir today. Having met with him, there are a number of issues which he raised, in particular regarding his original visit to Prague and subsequent arrest. I am raising those concerns at Westminster with the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Justice.

"Our Embassy has reassured Mr Sandhu that they will continue to do all that they can to help in what has become a very stressful situation. I am not going to let this matter drop.”