‘The nightmare is over’ as parents celebrate release

THE parents of kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston yesterday said “the nightmare is over” as they arrived to smiles and applause at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Graham and Margaret Johnston had travelled from their home in Scotland to London to attend an Amnesty International awards ceremony on behalf of their son.

The journalist’s sister Katriona and Helen Boaden, director of BBC News, were waiting at Terminal 1 to welcome them.

As Graham and Margaret emerged into the arrivals hall they were met with warm embraces, applause and laughter.

Mr Johnston Snr said: “The nightmare is over, words cannot express how we feel.”

Describing the moment that they heard the news, he said: “It’s wonderful, it was just wonderful.”

Mr Johnston’s parents spoke to their son for the first time since his capture in a brief, crackling phone call from the Middle East.

Mr Johnston Snr said: “All he said was ‘Hello Dad’, and I said ‘Hello son. How are you? Are you all right?’ He said ‘I am 100%’ and then the phone was cut.”

Later, Johnston’s parents thanked the reporter’s colleagues for the support they had shown them during their son’s captivity.

The couple arrived at Bush House, the headquarters of the BBC World Service, to loud cheers and applause.

Standing on the steps in front of the building, Mr Johnston Snr told staff who came out in the rain to welcome the family they had drawn strength from their support.

“I want to tell you how much we have been buoyed up by the tremendous work from the BBC from Beijing to Kabul.

“You say we have strength, but you gave us that strength and I thank you,” he said.

Hundreds of Johnston’s colleagues gathered on the steps of Bush House holding banners with pictures of Johnston and the word “Free” above their heads.