This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6268136.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Johnston family 'never lost hope' | Johnston family 'never lost hope' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The parents of Scottish journalist Alan Johnston, the BBC's correspondent in Gaza, have spoken of their relief at him being freed from captivity. | The parents of Scottish journalist Alan Johnston, the BBC's correspondent in Gaza, have spoken of their relief at him being freed from captivity. |
| Graham and Margaret Johnston said they "never lost hope" that they would see their son again. | Graham and Margaret Johnston said they "never lost hope" that they would see their son again. |
| Mr Johnston was abducted four months ago. He described his experience as "quite terrifying". | Mr Johnston was abducted four months ago. He described his experience as "quite terrifying". |
| Speaking outside the family home in Argyll, Graham Johnston said it had been "a living nightmare". | Speaking outside the family home in Argyll, Graham Johnston said it had been "a living nightmare". |
| Mr Johnston Sr said: "It's a wonderful morning, I can't tell you. We got the phone call late last night from the BBC and we're absolutely overjoyed. | Mr Johnston Sr said: "It's a wonderful morning, I can't tell you. We got the phone call late last night from the BBC and we're absolutely overjoyed. |
| "It's been 114 days of a living nightmare and just to hear his voice. He telephoned us. There was a lot of noise in the background - I think he was being jostled a lot - and all he said was: 'Hello, dad' and I: 'Hello, son, I hear you're alright.' He said: 'I'm a 100%'. | "It's been 114 days of a living nightmare and just to hear his voice. He telephoned us. There was a lot of noise in the background - I think he was being jostled a lot - and all he said was: 'Hello, dad' and I: 'Hello, son, I hear you're alright.' He said: 'I'm a 100%'. |
| "The phone was cut so that's all we've had from him so far - but we've seen him on the box and it's just incredible; it's been a long 114 days." | "The phone was cut so that's all we've had from him so far - but we've seen him on the box and it's just incredible; it's been a long 114 days." |
| We have had absolutely amazing support from so many people and that is what has kept us in good spirits Graham and Margaret Johnston | We have had absolutely amazing support from so many people and that is what has kept us in good spirits Graham and Margaret Johnston |
| Alan Johnston, said he had managed to speak to his father although the hours since his release had been "incredibly hectic". | |
| Speaking of his family, he said: "I really feel that they have been through an awful lot. It's so good, the thought that I will be with them soon." | Speaking of his family, he said: "I really feel that they have been through an awful lot. It's so good, the thought that I will be with them soon." |
| Graham Johnston thanked everyone who had supported the family while their son was being held. | Graham Johnston thanked everyone who had supported the family while their son was being held. |
| He especially praised residents in the family's home village of Lochgoilhead. | |
| "We have had absolutely amazing support from so many people and that is what has kept us in good spirits. | "We have had absolutely amazing support from so many people and that is what has kept us in good spirits. |
| "The villagers have been amazing, they've been ever-present at vigils every Friday. We never lost hope he would be released." | "The villagers have been amazing, they've been ever-present at vigils every Friday. We never lost hope he would be released." |
| Series of vigils | Series of vigils |
| Members of the tight-knit community in Argyll have spoken of their joy at Alan's release. | |
| Village minister the Rev Jim Macfarlane told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland: "It's just so wonderful. I am absolutely delighted. | |
| "It's just wonderful news and everybody here in the village will be sharing what Margaret and Graham are sharing this morning. | |
| "It's really special for them but it's wonderful for everybody else here in Lochgoilhead also." | |
| "Even when we were a little downhearted we never really lost hope that we would see Alan again and it is wonderful that that is obviously now the case." | |
| The owner of the Shore House Inn said there would be celebrations in the village. | |
| Gillian Curtis said: "I'm absolutely delighted to hear the news. It's been the most horrific ordeal for Margaret and Graham. Thank God it's finally over for them." | |
| Mr Johnston said his time in captivity was the worst of his life | |
| Family friend Iain Hosack, the 102-year-old who shares the same birthday as Johnston, said he was "absolutely overjoyed and relieved". | |
| Mr Johnston's father said that his son would probably be embarrassed by all the attention he has been getting. | |
| "He is going to cringe when he realises all the pictures and stuff up all over the place, he's really going to cringe at that, he's pretty self-effacing sort of lad." | "He is going to cringe when he realises all the pictures and stuff up all over the place, he's really going to cringe at that, he's pretty self-effacing sort of lad." |
| Mr Johnston's parents recently released 100 balloons in Lochgoilhead as part of a worldwide vigil for their son on his 100th day in captivity. | |
| Rallies worldwide have called for the 45-year-old's release. An online petition was signed by some 200,000 people. | |
| Throughout his captivity, friends and colleagues have also remembered Mr Johnston at a series of vigils outside BBC centres. | Throughout his captivity, friends and colleagues have also remembered Mr Johnston at a series of vigils outside BBC centres. |
| Mr Johnston said he fell ill twice during his captivity and spent most of his time in solitary confinement, without access to any windows. | Mr Johnston said he fell ill twice during his captivity and spent most of his time in solitary confinement, without access to any windows. |
| He did have a radio however and was aware of the campaign to free him as he listened to the BBC World Service. | He did have a radio however and was aware of the campaign to free him as he listened to the BBC World Service. |
| Mr Johnston was educated at Dollar Academy and went on to do an MA in English and Politics at Dundee University. | |
| He gained a diploma in Journalism Studies from the University of Wales in Cardiff and joined the BBC in 1991. |