Matthew has been sanctioned by the Iranian regime in the latest hostile move by the state against the UK. 

In October, the UK Government implemented further sanctions on Iranian individuals and business responsible for supplying Russia with kamikaze drones used to bombard Ukraine. In response the Iranian Government has announced sanctions against five British MP - including Matthew. The reality of this designation is that there is now a ban on Matthew being issued a visa to enter the Islamic Republic of Iran and a confiscation of any property or assets in the territory under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

While the Iranian authorities could not spell Matthew's name correctly, showing a lack of attention to detail, the designation shows that many years of speaking out against the regime has hit home. In response to the designation, the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that being named on the list should be "a badge of honour".

Matthew said "Iran's behaviour over the protests, executing their people and unwilling actions over seeking to enrich uranium show that they are a rogue state. In light of these bizarre sanctions, I shall be pressing the Government to remove the Iranian embassy and all their staff, expel Iranian representatives from the United Nations, seek an inquiry by the UN into atrocities that have occurred in Iran, proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guards under the Terrorism Act and continue to speak out against the corrupt regime in Tehran."

Matthew is pictured addressing a conference in Parliament on the Iranian Protests