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UK teacher jailed over teddy row UK teacher jailed over teddy row
(20 minutes later)
A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad.A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad.
Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and will then be deported.Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and will then be deported.
She had been accused on three counts of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.She had been accused on three counts of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.
The Foreign Office said it was extremely disappointed by the verdict. Her lawyer says she will now appeal.The Foreign Office said it was extremely disappointed by the verdict. Her lawyer says she will now appeal.
The Sudanese ambassador is being called back to the Foreign Office to explain the decision. Officials there say the mood has changed as a result of the verdict. I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps Foreign Secretary David Miliband
The Sudanese ambassador is being called back to the Foreign Office to explain the decision.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was also "extremely disappointed" the charges had not been dismissed and repeated his view that it had been an "innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated teacher".
"Our priority now is to ensure Ms Gibbons' welfare, and we will continue to provide consular assistance to her," he said.
"I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps."
Staff complaintStaff complaint
Earlier, Foreign Secretary David Miliband had met the Sudanese ambassador to discuss the case, stressing it was an "innocent misunderstanding". Officials at the Foreign Office say the mood has changed as a result of the verdict.
The prime minister, Sudanese embassy officials in London and UK Muslim organisations also expressed the hope that Mrs Gibbons would be released. The prime minister, Sudanese embassy officials in London and UK Muslim organisations all expressed the hope that Mrs Gibbons would be released.
But Sudan's top clerics had called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.But Sudan's top clerics had called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.
What can't be named Muhammad? Respecting feelings abroad Bloggers condemn SudanWhat can't be named Muhammad? Respecting feelings abroad Bloggers condemn Sudan
She could have faced up to 40 lashes.She could have faced up to 40 lashes.
In September, Mrs Gibbons allowed her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear Muhammad as part of a study of animals and their habitats.In September, Mrs Gibbons allowed her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear Muhammad as part of a study of animals and their habitats.
The court heard that she was arrested on Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education.The court heard that she was arrested on Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education.
The school's director Robert Boulos told the AP news agency: "It's a very fair verdict, she could have had six months and lashes and a fine, and she only got 15 days and deportation."The school's director Robert Boulos told the AP news agency: "It's a very fair verdict, she could have had six months and lashes and a fine, and she only got 15 days and deportation."
He said Mrs Gibbons would only serve another 10 days in prison having already spent five in custody since her arrest.He said Mrs Gibbons would only serve another 10 days in prison having already spent five in custody since her arrest.
Prosecutor general Salah Eddin Abu Zaid had said Mrs Gibbons could expect a "swift and fair trial".Prosecutor general Salah Eddin Abu Zaid had said Mrs Gibbons could expect a "swift and fair trial".
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones - who knows Mrs Gibbons - told BBC News 24 how he felt about the court's decision. But Catherine Wolthuizen, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said Mrs Gibbons' treatment was excessive.
''Obviously relief that there won't be the public lashing which everybody feared, but deep disappointment because this was clearly a mistake and I know that the Muslim community here in Liverpool will be as disappointed as anybody," Bishop Jones said. She said: "It was a very speedy justice process. Although she has been found guilty of all the counts of causing offence, she has thankfully not been subjected to 40 lashes.
"I think, too, a real anxiety that something like this so badly handled in this way [and] won't do anything to build up good relations between the faith communities.'' "Having said this, 15 days in a Sudanese prison for an innocent misunderstanding is a serious and harsh punishment indeed."