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Teacher charged over teddy row Teacher charged over teddy row
(10 minutes later)
A British teacher has been charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.A British teacher has been charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.
The Foreign Office has confirmed that charges have been laid against Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool.The Foreign Office has confirmed that charges have been laid against Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool.
She was arrested in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad.She was arrested in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he will summon the Sudanese ambassador "as a matter of urgency".Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he will summon the Sudanese ambassador "as a matter of urgency".
In a statement, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "surprised and disappointed" at the charges.In a statement, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "surprised and disappointed" at the charges.
A spokesman said the first step was to "understand the rationale behind the charge", something which would be discussed by Mr Miliband and the ambassador as soon as possible.A spokesman said the first step was to "understand the rationale behind the charge", something which would be discussed by Mr Miliband and the ambassador as soon as possible.
"We will consider our response in the light of that," he added."We will consider our response in the light of that," he added.
'Sensitive issue''Sensitive issue'
Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code.Sudanese state media said prosecutors had completed their investigation and decided to charge Mrs Gibbons under Article 125 of the Sudanese criminal code.
The BBC's Amber Henshaw, in Khartoum, said Mrs Gibbons was expected to appear in court on Thursday.The BBC's Amber Henshaw, in Khartoum, said Mrs Gibbons was expected to appear in court on Thursday.
Lawyers say she faces six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine if convicted.Lawyers say she faces six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine if convicted.
Mrs Gibbons taught at the fee-paying Unity High School in Khartoum and the school's director, Robert Boulos, said earlier: "This is a very sensitive issue. We are very worried about her safety.Mrs Gibbons taught at the fee-paying Unity High School in Khartoum and the school's director, Robert Boulos, said earlier: "This is a very sensitive issue. We are very worried about her safety.
What can't be named Muhammad? "This was a completely innocent mistake."What can't be named Muhammad? "This was a completely innocent mistake."
Earlier, the Sudanese Embassy in London said the situation was a "storm in a teacup" and indicated that the teacher could be released soon, saying the incident was based on a cultural misunderstanding.Earlier, the Sudanese Embassy in London said the situation was a "storm in a teacup" and indicated that the teacher could be released soon, saying the incident was based on a cultural misunderstanding.
In September, Mrs Gibbons asked her pupils to vote on a name for a teddy bear as part of a study of animals and their habitats.In September, Mrs Gibbons asked her pupils to vote on a name for a teddy bear as part of a study of animals and their habitats.
One boy told reporters: "The teacher asked me what I wanted to call the teddy. I said Muhammad. I named it after my name."One boy told reporters: "The teacher asked me what I wanted to call the teddy. I said Muhammad. I named it after my name."
Mrs Gibbons was arrested on Sunday after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education.Mrs Gibbons was arrested on Sunday after several parents made complaints to Sudan's Ministry of Education.
The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner said the situation could potentially become a very serious diplomatic incident.