Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s daughter slept soundly next to her parents for the first time in six years after the family was finally reunited.
There were tears of joy as the British-Iranian touched down on home soil in the early hours of yesterday morning, where she was met by her husband Richard and their daughter Gabriella.
The seven-year-old had at first refused to believe her mum was coming home after several false dawns in the battle to end her six-year detention in Iran.
But she finally slept at her mother’s side as they spent their first night in a safe house.
Yesterday Richard – who campaigned tirelessly for her release – admitted the family were still overcome with exhaustion and sheer relief. He said: “We’re all sleepy and relieved here.
“Gabriella firmly planted herself between us last night.”
It is not known if or when they will return to their north London home.
The family’s nightmare came to an end just after 1am, when Nazanin landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
In an emotional video filmed by the daughter of Anoosheh Ashoori, 67, who was also released by Iran in return for a £400million debt repayment, Gabriella can be heard calling “Mummy, Mummy – is that Mummy?” as Nazanin walks down the steps of the British jet.
A photo of the family was posted yesterday by the Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq, who worked to help them. She said: “So lovely to have uplifting conversations with Richard and Nazanin. Here’s their first family selfie!”
And Nazanin’s sister-in-law, Rebecca Ratcliffe, said: “They have lived apart for such a long time, had such different experiences, they are not going to go back to how they were before.”
Downing Street yesterday defended the payment of £400million to Iran after the Government was accused of paying “blood money.” Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the UK was “rewarding hostage-takers”.
Downing Street insisted the payment – to settle an outstanding debt dating back more than 40 years – was not “contingent” on the release of detainees.
Nazanin was held for six years, accused of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government. Anoosheh, who was detained for almost five years, was accused of spying. Both vigorously denied the allegations.
