Teddy bear row teacher granted full pardon

[LezGeri]

A British teacher has been granted a full pardon after a meeting between Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and two UK Muslim peers.
Gillian Gibbons will be released within the next hour following talks between Tory peer Baroness Warsi and Labour peer Lord Ahmed and the Sudanese leader.
Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi had lobbied for the early release of Mrs Gibbons who was jailed on Thursday for 15 days after allowing her class of seven-year-olds to name a teddy bear Mohammed.
Mrs Gibbons has been held at a secret location in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, amid fears for her safety after protests on Friday in Khartoum's central Martyrs Square demanding a harsher sentence.
Hundreds of people burned pictures of the 54-year-old, from Aigburth, Liverpool, chanting: "Shame, shame on the UK," and "No tolerance: Execution," and "kill her, kill her by firing squad".
Over the weekend, the peers had a number of meetings with Sudanese government officials, including the foreign minister.
They had been due to return to the UK on Monday but announced they would stay for a third day as signs that Sunday's "difficult" meetings had led to progress in the case.
Speaking from Khartoum on Sunday night, Baroness Warsi said: "There are a number of meetings scheduled for tomorrow, we are not prepared to say who they are with or what will be discussed.
"These are very delicate times and we are are trying to be as responsible and restrained as possible. We would urge everyone to do the same."
Baroness Warsi said earlier: "Clearly, we want to secure her early release and she wants to have her early release secured if that can be done."
In a statement, passed to Channel 4 News through her legal team, Mrs Gibbons said: "I'm fine, I'm well, I'm very grateful to all the people working on my behalf. I know so many people out there have done so much.
"I know the Prime Minister has called my son, and I'm really grateful to everyone. I want people to know I've been well treated, and especially that I'm well fed.
"I've been given so many apples I feel I could set up my own stall. The guards are constantly asking if I have everything I need.
"The Sudanese people in general have been pleasant and very generous, and I've had nothing but good experiences during my four months here.
"I'm really sad to leave and if I could go back to work tomorrow then I would."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband contacted the Sudanese foreign minister again over the weekend to reiterate his "very strong concern" at Mrs Gibbons' continued detention.

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Looks like we can call off the bombing campaign Rob

[Head Boy]

I still think they are a bunch of ignorant animals blinded by hate, intollerance and indoctrination. They should all be chucked out of the UK as a result of this. That will probably disrupt their Olymics bombing planning as well.

And while we are at it, we should look at some of the intollerance and bigotry in the other religions as well. Whatever you think of Christmas, it's still a long established British tradition, and anyone who seeks to ban it, should be chucked out of their job.

[Philsl]

Originally Posted by Head Boy

I still think they are a bunch of ignorant animals blinded by hate, intollerance and indoctrination. They should all be chucked out of the UK as a result of this. That will probably disrupt their Olymics bombing planning as well.

And while we are at it, we should look at some of the intollerance and bigotry in the other religions as well. Whatever you think of Christmas, it's still a long established British tradition, and anyone who seeks to ban it, should be chucked out of their job.

Well said HeadBoy, Christmas is Chrtistmas and if you don't celebrate it,
then don't! These namby pamby fuckwits in power should stop listening to
minority and listen to the majority, the people that put them there.

[Paul Markham]

I read we give the Sudan $400 million in aid every year, also heard it was $200 million. What ever it is we have to ask ourselves why are we giving money to people like this. At worse Gillian Gibbons was silly in that she should of been more careful. But what about the children who chose the name, are they Muslims.

No need for all the riots. But it reflects more on who they are and their religion than us. If naming a Teddy with a popular boys name is insulting to Mohamed and Islam what's blowing up fellow Muslims?

However in many countries Islam is where Christianity was 500 years ago, when we were burning, hanging and torturing people for worshiping in the wrong way.

[LezGeri]

Originally Posted by Head Boy

I still think they are a bunch of ignorant animals blinded by hate, intollerance and indoctrination. They should all be chucked out of the UK as a result of this. That will probably disrupt their Olymics bombing planning as well.

And while we are at it, we should look at some of the intollerance and bigotry in the other religions as well. Whatever you think of Christmas, it's still a long established British tradition, and anyone who seeks to ban it, should be chucked out of their job.

You're joking I hope Head Boy

Anyway, anyone who wants to ban Christmas in the UK on religious grounds is clearly a total nutcase. What could possibly be more secular than xmas in the Uk these days? It's all about making money ( & hopefully having some fun) & has sod all to with the baby J.

[Sarah_MaxCash]

Looks like she has been released now..hope she is on the next plane out.

[ScreaM]

Glad to hear that.