HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope has hailed his recent visit to Iran as an important step towards improving the country's relationship with the West.

Mr Pope took part in the week-long visit with members of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in a bid to reinforce ties with Iran's government.

He has previously been outspoken about Iran's human rights record and expressed concerns before embarking on the trip. But on his return, Mr Pope said he believed the situation was improving. He said: "It seems that things are getting better but not quite as quickly as we would like. My understanding is that women are no longer being stoned to death.

"I think this shows having a dialogue with Iran will reap some benefits. George Bush described it as being part of an axis of evil with Iraq and North Korea, but British policy has been very different. We have a policy of constructive engagement."

Mr Pope, who said that on the whole he enjoyed the trip, added: "I am certainly a little better informed about a really important country.

"It's a regional superpower, it borders Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and it is in a very volatile region. It can either be a force for good or for instability."

Mr Pope met a variety of government officials during the trip, as well as many ordinary Iranian people.

He said: "During my stay I met nothing but kindness, generosity and friendship. I also met Shirin Ebadi who has just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

"She is a lawyer who has raised a lot of human rights cases. She is incredibly brave and it was humbling to meet her."

Arguing it was important for Britain to continue forging a strong relationship with Iran, he added: "I have had a massive mailbag about the war in Iraq and the stance I took.

"I am acutely aware that people died as a consequence of myself and others voting for the war. I think it's important to take the time to understand countries like Iran."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has also just returned from Iran, where he was discussing nuclear policy with his French and German counterparts.

Mr Pope said during the talks Iranian officials confirmed their nuclear power programme was not being developed for military purposes, adding: "This shows that dialogue has brought results. If we had joined the Americans in isolating Iran, we would not have got this deal."