Foreign secretary David Miliband has said that another British embassy employee held by Iranian authorities will be released soon.

Iran had detained nine staff at the British embassy in the country over their alleged involvement in the mass protests against the results of Iran's recent presidential elections.

Mr Miliband said one person, the embassy's chief political analyst, was still being held by authorities, adding that the government would focus its efforts on securing his release.

However, the analyst, the final arrested member of embassy staff, has been charged with endangering the country's national security.

Speaking to the BBC about efforts to secure his release, Mr Miliband said he was an "honourable, patriotic Iranian" who had been working for Britain's embassy in the country.

The foreign secretary added: "The allegations of improper conduct have absolutely no basis.

"I think it is very, very important that we send a clear message that we are confident about the way he has been doing his job [and] that we are clear about our goal, which is his release, unharmed."
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