Britain’s newly appointed hostage envoy, Alistair Burt, has come under scrutiny from human rights advocates and relatives of Britons detained abroad, who say his longstanding ties to the United Arab Emirates raise concerns about his ability to effectively advocate for prisoners in the Gulf.

Mr. Burt, a former Conservative Member of Parliament, was named this week to the newly created role aimed at supporting British nationals held overseas. However, his appointment has prompted criticism, particularly from families of Britons imprisoned in the UAE, where Mr. Burt has maintained close links. After stepping down from government in 2019, he became chairman of the Emirates Society, an organization focused on fostering UK-UAE relations.

Among those voicing frustration is the family of Ryan Cornelius, who has been incarcerated in the UAE since 2008. Mr. Cornelius was convicted along with three others of defrauding the Dubai Islamic Bank, charges he denies. Although he served an initial 10-year sentence, his term was unexpectedly extended by 20 years in 2018 at the bank’s request. He is now scheduled for release in 2038, at the age of 84.

Chris Pagett, Mr. Cornelius’s brother-in-law, said the family was dismayed by Mr. Burt’s elevation, with Mr. Cornelius’s wife reportedly devastated by the news. They hold Mr. Burt accountable for a perceived lack of progress in efforts to secure Mr. Cornelius’s freedom during his previous role as Britain’s Middle East envoy.

Criticism also comes from Matthew Hedges, a British academic who was detained and allegedly tortured in the UAE in 2018 on espionage accusations later found to be unfounded. Mr. Hedges described the appointment as an “insult,” citing past shortcomings by British consular officials who failed to visit him for seven weeks during his detention. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) formally apologized to Mr. Hedges in 2023 for this failure.

Human rights campaigner Bill Browder echoed these concerns, stating that Mr. Burt’s previous tenure in government was marked by inaction on behalf of Britons detained overseas, underscoring the irony of his new responsibilities.

In response, an FCDO spokesperson said the government is committed to fulfilling its manifesto pledge to support families of detainees abroad through the appointment of the new envoy. The role is intended to coordinate diplomatic efforts and provide assistance to British nationals facing imprisonment overseas.

As Mr. Burt assumes his new position, observers will be watching closely to see whether his connections to the UAE aid or hinder the UK’s efforts to resolve long-standing cases involving Britons detained in the region.