Ian has had one visit in six months from a consulate official and I feel the Foreign Office could have done more

Caroline Spelman, shadow minister

Mrs Spelman was critical of the Foreign Office's role.

Freezing cold cell

"The Foreign Office has not pulled out the stops.

"Ian has had one visit in six months from a consulate official and I feel the Foreign Office could have done more," she said.

His appeal to the Indian Supreme Court is being supported by the human rights group Fair Trials Abroad.

Mr Stillman, who has diabetes and an artificial leg, is allegedly being kept in a freezing cold prison cell with up to 35 other inmates.

In a Commons debate last week, junior Foreign Office minister Ben Bradshaw insisted his department had done all it could to help Mr Stillman since his arrest.

This included visits from consular staff in New Delhi and helping him be moved to a new jail where he had access to a wheelchair and computer.

Appeal lost

"International law prevents us from getting involved in the judicial process of another country," he said.

"Our own judicial proceedings are similarly protected from outside interference.

"Our objectives remain to ensure proper conditions for Mr Stillman and a transparent and expeditious judicial process."

Mr Stillman, who is originally from Reading, set up the Nambikkai Foundation in 1978 to provide training, employment and education for deaf people in India.

He lost an appeal against his conviction in January this year at the Indian High Court in Simla.