The UAE government has reiterated its claim that Durham academic Matthew Hedges was a spy and the life sentence he received was "fair".

Jaber al-Lamki, a government media official, told a news conference:

The case of Matthew Hedges has made headlines around the world.

Here are how some of the global news outlets are reporting the story:

• The National, the state-backed newspaper in the United Arab Emirates, said UAE officials showed footage in which Hedges admitted to being an "active officer" in MI6, external.
• Le Monde in France says the British authorities, who had said they were "deeply shocked" by his life sentence, immediately expressed their gratitude at his pardon., external
• Al Jazeera, the Qatar broadcaster, said the UAE had come under increasing international pressure since Hedges arrest, external.
• CNN, the USA news channel, said he is one of 785 prisoners being pardoned, external as part of the UAE's forthcoming national day celebration on 2 December.

Jaber al-Lamki, a government media official, told a media conference: "Mr Hedges has been found guilty of espionage. He sought out sensitive information from people he knew had access to it.

"He was here to steal the UAE's sensitive national security secrets for his paymasters.

"Because of the sensitive nature of the case, unfortunately we cannot share more details of the materials found in Mr Hedges' possession.

"However what I can tell you is the following:

• During his early days in the UAE Mr Hedges worked for a strategy and security consultancy - the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis known as INEGMA - who specialised in military and security conferences. Through this he was able to build up an extensive network of contacts
• After working in the UAE for several years Mr Hedges left the country. Following our investigation we understand that his background and the networks he ha cultivated led to his recruitment
• He subsequently returned to the UAE on assignment, undercover as a student on a research trip. He did not require a visa and entered the country freely
• Following a tip off to the Attorney General's office regarding his suspicious activities, an investigation team was established ti look into these serious claims.

Durham academic Matthew Hedges was trying to gather classified information on the UAE's role in Yemen, the UAE government claims.

Jaber al-Lamki, a government media official, told a media conference: "During the investigation Mr Hedges confessed he was acting as an agent of a foreign intelligence service.

"He confirmed he had collected sensitive and classified information about the UAE for that agency, The evidence, booth documentary and electronic, is irrefutable.

"Mr Hedges described his objectives as follows:

• To gather classified information on the UAE's military capabilities, including weaponry and procurement decision.
• To gather sensitive economic data on the country's key firms and key industries, along with strategic planning information
• To gather sensitive information on key government figures, including members of the UAE's ruling families and their networks
• And to gather classified information on the UAE's military and political role in Yemen

A spokesman for the University of Exeter said: "We are extremely pleased that Matt Hedges has been pardoned.

"The priority now remains for Matt to return safely home to his family and friends as quickly as possible, and we remain committed to offering and providing every level of support, help and assistance during this time."

A UAE official has confirmed to Reuters news agency what we told you earlier - Matthew Hedges has been released from prison.

Daniela Tejada says she is "elated" at the news her husband has been pardoned.

A friend of Matthew Hedges has given his thoughts on the ordeal his wife has been thorough since he was taken into custody in the UAE in May.

Andreas Krieg said: "The fact that you are newly married and then your beloved husband has been detained in solitary confinement for months without you being able to get in touch.

"And then basically receiving a life sentence for something out of complete injustice and without any due diligence and any real charges and then possibly the prospect of never seeing him again

"I can only imagine it was a very nightmarish experience for the last couple of months."

Matthew Hedges' friend and colleague Cinzia Bianco has tweeted her relief that the Durham academic has been pardoned

Universities must urgently review their overseas operations in the wake of the Matthew Hedges spying row, the University and College Union (UCU) said today., external

It added they must also review working with staff and students' unions "to ensure that human rights, academic freedom and the university's local footprint were consistent with the institution's values".

According to Universities UK, external, there are more than 700,000 students studying outside the UK for qualifications awarded by 138 UK universities.

UCU head of policy and campaigns Matt Waddup said: "We share the relief of all those involved with the Matthew Hedges case that he has been pardoned with immediate effect and expect the government and his employers to do their utmost to help Matthew recover from his ordeal.

"UK universities with overseas operations should launch reviews covering human rights, trade union representation, academic freedom and ensuring that local workers employed by the institution are not exploited. It is vital that the profits from overseas operations are not achieved on the back of the dilution of staff and student rights and personal safety."

The Guardian

The United Arab Emirates will not be releasing the full video which they claim shows Matthew Hedges confessing to being a spy, according to The Guardian., external

The paper says only a short section of the video was shown at a press conference but "did not provide context".

The Guardian also says Hedges admits to being a captain in MI6, a "position that does not exist".

"The clips are not being shared by the UAE for wider broadcast," the paper reports.

Human rights lawyer David Haigh, who claimed he was abused in a Dubai prison, said the pardon of Matthew Hedges should prompt Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to "review every sentence handed down in the UAE".

Here are the key dates in the Matthew Hedges case:

• 5 May 2018: British academic Matthew Hedges is reportedly taken into custody at Dubai airport after travelling to the UAE to interview sources about the country's foreign policy and security strategy
• 10 October: A court in Abu Dhabi hears his case, but adjourns for another hearing on 24 October
• 11 October: His wife, Daniela Tejada, calls on UAE officials to "admit that they've made a mistake" and to release her husband. Ms Tejada says she has not been told what exactly her husband has been accused of, but she does not rule out the prospect of him being accused of spying
• 11 October: Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt personally raises Hedges' case with his UAE counterpart amid concerns over his mental health and well-being
• 15 October: Ms Tejada sees reports that her husband will go on trial for spying and says he is a man of principle with an "impeccable track record"
• 16 October: The Foreign Office says it is "deeply concerned" about Hedges
• 19 October: Hedges is said to be suffering from "significant health issues" after spending more than five months in solitary confinement. In a joint statement, Durham and Exeter Universities say they are "deeply concerned" about his welfare
• 25 October: He denies spying for the UK Government when he appears atthe Federal Court of Appeal in Abu Dhabi. Ms Tejada says the Foreign Office has been lobbying for Hedges' welfare, but her requests to meet the Foreign Secretary have not been granted
• 29 October: Hedges is released on bail. His wife, Ms Tejada, welcomes the development, adding: "I cannot allow myself to get too excited by this information as Matt is not fully free yet."
• 21 November: Hedges is sentenced to life imprisonment in a five-minute hearing at an Abu Dhabi court. Prime Minister Theresa May says she is "deeply disappointed and concerned" about the case, while Mr Hunt urges the UAE toreconsider the sentence
• 22 November: Ms Tejada says she has won assurances that the government is "now standing up for one of its citizens" after a meeting with Mr Hunt. Prior to the meeting, she had condemned the Foreign Office over its handling of the case. -
• 23 November: In a statement at the UAE embassy in London, ambassador SulaimanAlmazroui praises the closeness between the two nations as he says clemency is being considered for the "extremely serious case"
• 25 November: Mr Hunt has "constructive" talks with his UAE counterpart over the fate of Hedges
• 26 November: Hedges is pardoned in the UAE, as Emirati officials show a video of him saying he is a "captain" in MI6.

More from Amnesty International on the pardoning of Matthew Hedges:, external

Matthew Hedges' wife Daniela Tejada has posted this photo of the two of them together: