Britain is "concerned" and is seeking clarification about Iran's announcement that local staff working at the British embassy in Tehran will face trial, the Foreign Office said yesterday."We are concerned and we are checking the reports," a spokeswoman said. "Allegations that our staff were fomenting unrest are wholly without foundation.
"We will be seeking an urgent explanation from the Iranians."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street office also expressed concern.
The head of Iran's powerful Guardians Council said yesterday that some local UK embassy staff will be put on trial for their alleged role in stoking post-election violence.
"In these incidents, their embassy had a presence, some people were arrested. Naturally they will be put on trial, they have made confessions," Ahmad Jannati said at Friday prayers in Tehran.
The British government says seven of nine local staff originally arrested by the Iranian authorities have now been freed. Iran has accused Britain of manipulating the violent protests following the disputed election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, allegations rejected by London.
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