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UK peers in bid to free teacher UK peers in bid to free teacher
(10 minutes later)
Two British Muslim members of the House of Lords have arrived in Sudan to push for the release of a British teacher imprisoned for insulting religion.Two British Muslim members of the House of Lords have arrived in Sudan to push for the release of a British teacher imprisoned for insulting religion.
Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, was jailed after her class was allowed to name a teddy bear Muhammad.Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, was jailed after her class was allowed to name a teddy bear Muhammad.
Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi are expected to meet Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the chief justice.Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi are expected to meet Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the chief justice.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the meeting could provide a way out of the diplomatic crisis.BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the meeting could provide a way out of the diplomatic crisis.
Private negotiationPrivate negotiation
Labour's Lord Ahmed travelled to the capital Khartoum on his own initiative, accompanied by a Conservative shadow minister, Lady Warsi. Labour's Lord Ahmed and Conservative shadow minister Lady Warsi travelled to the capital Khartoum on their own initiative.
Lord Ahmed has been in private negotiation with Sudanese officials this week, in a separate initiative to the British government's efforts.Lord Ahmed has been in private negotiation with Sudanese officials this week, in a separate initiative to the British government's efforts.
Baroness Warsi is a Conservative shadow ministerBaroness Warsi is a Conservative shadow minister
His office told the BBC: "We have it from the top that Sudanese authorities will co-operate in relation to her release."His office told the BBC: "We have it from the top that Sudanese authorities will co-operate in relation to her release."
Our correspondent said the Muslim delegation is expecting to meet the president on Saturday and return to the UK by Monday, hopefully with Mrs Gibbons.Our correspondent said the Muslim delegation is expecting to meet the president on Saturday and return to the UK by Monday, hopefully with Mrs Gibbons.
"Analysts believe it would suit the Sudanese government to be seen to be showing mercy in handing her over to a Muslim delegation, instead of appearing to 'give in' to their former colonial masters, the British government," Mr Gardner said."Analysts believe it would suit the Sudanese government to be seen to be showing mercy in handing her over to a Muslim delegation, instead of appearing to 'give in' to their former colonial masters, the British government," Mr Gardner said.
'Swift resolution''Swift resolution'
Meanwhile, Mrs Gibbons' son has said his mother does not want the situation to spark "resentment" towards Muslims.Meanwhile, Mrs Gibbons' son has said his mother does not want the situation to spark "resentment" towards Muslims.
John Gibbons, 27, from Liverpool, said she was "holding up quite well".John Gibbons, 27, from Liverpool, said she was "holding up quite well".
He told The Associated Press on Friday: "One of the things my mum said today was that 'I don't want any resentment towards Muslim people'.He told The Associated Press on Friday: "One of the things my mum said today was that 'I don't want any resentment towards Muslim people'.
"She doesn't want people using her and her case as something to stoke up resentment towards anyone, towards Sudanese people, towards Muslim people or whatever."She doesn't want people using her and her case as something to stoke up resentment towards anyone, towards Sudanese people, towards Muslim people or whatever.
We have it from the top that Sudanese authorities will cooperate in relation to her release Lord Ahmed's office Reaction to verdict Sudan's 'harsh' prisonsWe have it from the top that Sudanese authorities will cooperate in relation to her release Lord Ahmed's office Reaction to verdict Sudan's 'harsh' prisons
"You know, that's not the type of person she is, that's not what she wants.""You know, that's not the type of person she is, that's not what she wants."
He added she was in good spirits and did not seem too distressed.He added she was in good spirits and did not seem too distressed.
"She's holding up quite well. It was nice obviously to speak to her and hopefully we will be able to speak again," he said. "It's made me feel a hell of a lot better.""She's holding up quite well. It was nice obviously to speak to her and hopefully we will be able to speak again," he said. "It's made me feel a hell of a lot better."
Crowds of people marched in Khartoum on Friday to call for a tougher sentence for Mrs Gibbons.Crowds of people marched in Khartoum on Friday to call for a tougher sentence for Mrs Gibbons.
The Foreign Office said Mrs Gibbons had been visited again by consular staff on Friday and that she was "well", but it could not confirm where she was being held.The Foreign Office said Mrs Gibbons had been visited again by consular staff on Friday and that she was "well", but it could not confirm where she was being held.
Mrs Gibbons allowed her class to name the teddy bear Muhammad Using the Prophet's name Respecting feelings abroad Bloggers condemn SudanMrs Gibbons allowed her class to name the teddy bear Muhammad Using the Prophet's name Respecting feelings abroad Bloggers condemn Sudan
A spokeswoman said: "We are pursuing diplomatic contacts with the Sudanese government, we are continuing to do so and will throughout the weekend both in London and Khartoum.A spokeswoman said: "We are pursuing diplomatic contacts with the Sudanese government, we are continuing to do so and will throughout the weekend both in London and Khartoum.
"We are continuing to search for a swift resolution of this issue.""We are continuing to search for a swift resolution of this issue."
Some reports said protesters had called for her to be shot. Her lawyer said she was later moved for her own safety.Some reports said protesters had called for her to be shot. Her lawyer said she was later moved for her own safety.
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 last Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education.The court heard that she was arrested last Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education.