Vigils held for reporter amid growing fears

A SERIES of vigils in support of the kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston were held yesterday amid unconfirmed claims he had been killed.

His parents, politicians and colleagues called for the release of “our boy”, who was abducted by masked gunmen as he returned to his apartment in Gaza City on March 12.

A previously unknown Palestinian group, The Brigades of Tawheed and

Jihad, sent a statement to news organisations on Sunday claiming it had killed the Scot, who is the corporation’s Gaza correspondent.

The announcement, being investigated by British and Palestinian officials, increased the torment for Johnston’s parents and colleagues, who have appealed several times for his release.

Hundreds of the 44-year-old’s fellow BBC workers yesterday gathered outside the corporation’s offices across Britain to show their continued support.

BBC director-general Mark Thompson addressed around 300 staff outside BBC Television Centre in London, calling for “our boy” to be allowed home.

Mr Thompson, who visited the Middle East last week to highlight the journalist’s plight, said: “Alan Johnston is a modest man. He will be surprised and perhaps even a little embarrassed by all the attention he’s had in recent weeks.’’

Colleagues from BBC offices in Scotland, where Johnston’s parents live, also joined the vigils.

Around 200 staff gathered outside the corporation’s headquarters in Glasgow, holding pictures of the journalist.

Another 100 workers turned out from the BBC’s other offices in Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and Orkney.

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat added: “I urge those who abducted Johnston, instead of circulating rumours, and I hope these rumours are only rumours, to release him immediately and without any conditions.”

His parents Graham and Margaret Johnston, who live in Cairndow, Argyll, also spoke of the wish for an end to their ordeal. They said: “This is a desperately worrying time for us.

“We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan’s situation and wellbeing to contact the authorities in Gaza.

“Our son has lived and worked among the people of Gaza for the last three years to bring their story to the outside world and we ask every one of them to help end this ordeal.”