Statements about release of Alan Johnston

BBC statement

The BBC issued the following statement at 3am UK time today, Wednesday 4 July 2007, following the release of Alan Johnston, BBC Gaza Correspondent.

"We are delighted and extremely relieved that our friend and colleague, Alan Johnston, has been released.

"This is wonderful news for his family, friends and colleagues - and everyone around the world who has shown their support for him over the past 114 days.

"We thank all of those who worked tirelessly - here and in the wider Middle East - to secure his freedom.

"We will be issuing further information in due course and in the meanwhile, would ask that people respect his family's privacy to allow them time to recover from this ordeal."

Family statement

At 3.45am the BBC issued the following statement on behalf of Alan's parents, Graham and Margaret Johnston, and his sister Katriona:

"A short time ago, we received the news we've waited 114 days for – that Alan is free and is safe – and we are overjoyed.

"The last 114 days have been a dreadful time for us – but particularly for Alan. Through it all, we never lost hope. Alan had always told us of the friends he'd made in Gaza. We knew, in the end, they would be there for him.

"We've always known Alan was special. But the last 14 weeks have shown us how special he is to others – to his friends in Gaza, to his colleagues at the BBC, and to the listeners and viewers who've written in their thousands. Their support has buoyed us up through the darkest days. We've drawn our strength from them.

"We want to thank all those who've worked so hard to secure Alan's release – the people in Gaza, those in the wider Middle East region, as well as the Foreign Office and the BBC."

Statement from BBC Chairman

A statement from Sir Michael Lyons, BBC Chairman, was issued on behalf of the BBC Trust at 6.20am UK time.

"I am delighted and relieved to hear that Alan Johnston has, at last, been released and commend the remarkable courage he has shown during his 114 days in captivity.

"Those of us who value independent and accurate reporting from around the world depend on brave journalists like Alan Johnston facing risks on our behalf.

"I join the rest of the BBC in sending my warmest wishes to Alan and his family."

Email to BBC staff from BBC Director-General

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson issued the following email to BBC staff this morning:

"After 114 days, the wait is over. Alan was released in the early hours of this morning – handed over by his captors, the Army of Islam, to Hamas.

"I can't tell you how happy I was to get the phone call to say that Alan had been released. He is now on his way home and his parents are simply overjoyed. His many friends and colleagues across the BBC are thankful for his safe release and to see him looking so fit and well, after what he has described as an 'appalling' experience spent mostly in solitary confinement.

"I spoke with Alan at length this morning and he asked me to pass on his thanks to everyone at the BBC for your amazing support throughout the past four months. The visible support of all of his colleagues, which he heard about from time to time from the World Service and TV, really helped him through and buoyed his spirits. He is immensely grateful to you all for everything you've done to keep his plight in the public arena and to secure his safe release.

"BBC News has been flooded with messages from the public who were touched by Alan's plight and are as relieved as all of us here to see Alan alive and well. Since his release, Alan has conducted a series of media interviews in his usual calm and composed way. I said in my note yesterday that the BBC depends on people like Alan – on their courage and integrity and conviction. Alan has displayed all of these qualities in his reporting and I know these same qualities will help him through the difficult days he will now face as he re-adjusts to normal life.

"How fitting it is that Alan should be released on the same day his parents were due to receive an award on his behalf from Amnesty International. Alan's parents have described the support of his BBC friends and colleagues as 'absolutely incredible' and it really has been.

"Thank you to everyone who showed their support, who never stopped believing, and who worked tirelessly to secure his release. Alan is coming home. Mark"

ENDS

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