Briton accused of spying in the UAE reveals it will 'take years' to recover from his ordeal after being granted a pardon

The British academic jailed in the United Arab Emirates over spying allegations says it will "take years" to recover from his ordeal.

Durham University PhD student Matthew Hedges, 31, endured "psychological torture" and was tied up after being accused of being a British agent.

He had denied spying for the UK, saying he had been researching his PhD, but was jailed for life in an Abu Dhabi court.

He was pardoned last month after intense diplomatic pressure.

Mr Hedges said he was undergoing specialist psychiatric treatment which would last for years rather than weeks.

Mr Hedges told BBC 5 Live: "The second day I got back I went to see a doctor and started on medication.

"I saw a psychiatrist last week and am now in touch with two specialist centres to assess what I need to do and make a roadmap of recovery."

"This isn't going to take days or weeks, it's probably going to take years and that's something we're going to have to work through, not just Danni and myself but our families," he added.