‘Political’ video of Alan Johnston released
A video of kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston has been released on the internet.
The video is the first confirmed pictures of Mr Johnston since he was abducted in Gaza on March 12 and appears to show him in good health.
Mr Johnston reassured viewers he has been well looked after and well fed, before delivering a political message denouncing UK foreign policy in the Middle East.
He criticised the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the economic and social conditions suffered by the Palestinian people.
Following the “failed invasion” of Iraq the situation in Iraq is even worse, he said, and the situation in Afghanistan is “also terrible”.
“In all of this you see the British government endlessly working to occupy the Muslim lands against the will of the people in those places.
“The British worked to bring about the state of Israel, which is the cause of all the suffering of the Israeli and Palestinian people.
“We the British are completely to blame along with the Americans for the situation in Iraq. The British are the main force in Afghanistan causing all the trouble for Afghans.”
The Foreign Office condemned the release of the video. It is now thought to be investigating claims the video was posted by the Army of Islam, which has claimed responsibility for Mr Johnston’s kidnapping.
Tony Blair and Gordon Brown today both reiterated their pleas for Mr Johnston’s release.
It is still unclear when the video was filmed.
Previously, the 45-year-old’s BBC identity card had been released to prove he was still alive.
Mr Johnston was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza, and media organisations have warned his kidnapping could compromise local reporting.
