UK Foreign Secretary Statement On Gillian Gibbons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK)

Foreign Secretary statement on Gillian Gibbons

The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said: "I was very pleased to be called this morning by the Sudanese Acting Foreign Minister to be told of Gillian Gibbons' pardon. I welcome President al-Bashir's intervention, which has ended this episode.

"Gillian's welfare has been our priority at every stage. That remains the case. I am grateful for the strenuous efforts of the British Ambassador, her team in Khartoum and officials here in London since Gillian was arrested a week ago.

"I want to pay tribute to the work of Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi whose welcome initiative has been important in securing this outcome. They, and the Muslim community in the UK, have shared our view that this was always an innocent misunderstanding.

"British officials have been in constant touch with Gillian Gibbons and her family throughout. Gillian will now be released into the care of British Embassy officials in Khartoum. We will be discussing with Gillian her preferences for her return to the UK."

ENDS

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