Tweet
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...icle535417.ece
She is now with British Embassy officials and will fly back to the UK today.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Gillian had shown "good British grit" and that she was in “remarkably good spirits” after speaking to her this afternoon.
Mr Miliband said: “She was a little overwhelmed by the amount of coverage she understood this case had received and proud of the way her family had stood up over the last week.”.
He described the securing of her release as a "team effort" and welcomed "the intervention of the president."
Gillian earlier released a statement saying she had been "well treated" during her incarceration.
The statement 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."
Gordon Brown said earlier today that "common sense" had prevailed.
The Prime Minister said in a statement: "I was delighted and relieved to hear the news that Gillian Gibbons is to be freed.
"Common sense has prevailed. She will be released into the care of our embassy in Khartoum after what must have been a difficult ordeal.
"Through the course of Ms Gibbons' detention I was glad to see Muslim groups across the UK express strong support for her case."
Gillian, 54, was jailed for 15 days last Thursday for “insulting Islam” by allowing her class of seven-year-olds to call a teddy Mohammed.
But yesterday a huge security operation was being set up, ready to swiftly smuggle the Liverpool mum of two out of the fundamentalist Muslim state.
British negotiators led by peers Lord Ahmed and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi spent the weekend brokering her freedom with top officials.
Spirits
Last night they dramatically postponed plans to fly home so talks could continue.
Baroness Warsi said: “The Sudanese government does want to resolve this matter. We hope to come to an amicable resolution soon. Gillian is in good spirits.”
Armed police were on standby to protect her after 10,000 sword-wielding fanatics took to the streets demanding her execution on Friday.
Gillian was the only prisoner in the building on the outskirts of the capital Khartoum.
She said yesterday through her lawyer: “I’m fine. I’ve been well treated.” She also told how a wicked plot by her school’s office assistant Sarah Khaward led to charges of breaking Sudan’s strict religious laws.
Scheming Khaward fell out with principal Marina Hitchens at Khartoum’s Unity High School and reported the teddy bear incident to get revenge. But Gillian was arrested instead of intended victim, Ms Hitchens.
Gillian said: “I was shocked at being reported by a colleague who must have known I meant no offence.”
Chief defence lawyer Kamal al-Gizouli said yesterday: “There is no question that Gillian was the totally innocent victim of a despicable act. The government has known from the start that this was a travesty and now it wants Gillian taken off its hands.” Naming the teddy bear Mohammed was part of a class project for Gillian’s students at the private school.
She was astonished to be arrested — but could have faced up to 40 lashes, six months in prison and a fine.
Gillian’s son John, 25, said he would not travel from Liverpool to Sudan because he hoped that a breakthrough was imminent.
---------------------------------------------
I think the funniest part is that "10,000 sword-wielding fanatics took to the streets demanding her execution". Good ol' Middle East.
She is now with British Embassy officials and will fly back to the UK today.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Gillian had shown "good British grit" and that she was in “remarkably good spirits” after speaking to her this afternoon.
Mr Miliband said: “She was a little overwhelmed by the amount of coverage she understood this case had received and proud of the way her family had stood up over the last week.”.
He described the securing of her release as a "team effort" and welcomed "the intervention of the president."
Gillian earlier released a statement saying she had been "well treated" during her incarceration.
The statement 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."
Gordon Brown said earlier today that "common sense" had prevailed.
The Prime Minister said in a statement: "I was delighted and relieved to hear the news that Gillian Gibbons is to be freed.
"Common sense has prevailed. She will be released into the care of our embassy in Khartoum after what must have been a difficult ordeal.
"Through the course of Ms Gibbons' detention I was glad to see Muslim groups across the UK express strong support for her case."
Gillian, 54, was jailed for 15 days last Thursday for “insulting Islam” by allowing her class of seven-year-olds to call a teddy Mohammed.
But yesterday a huge security operation was being set up, ready to swiftly smuggle the Liverpool mum of two out of the fundamentalist Muslim state.
British negotiators led by peers Lord Ahmed and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi spent the weekend brokering her freedom with top officials.
Spirits
Last night they dramatically postponed plans to fly home so talks could continue.
Baroness Warsi said: “The Sudanese government does want to resolve this matter. We hope to come to an amicable resolution soon. Gillian is in good spirits.”
Armed police were on standby to protect her after 10,000 sword-wielding fanatics took to the streets demanding her execution on Friday.
Gillian was the only prisoner in the building on the outskirts of the capital Khartoum.
She said yesterday through her lawyer: “I’m fine. I’ve been well treated.” She also told how a wicked plot by her school’s office assistant Sarah Khaward led to charges of breaking Sudan’s strict religious laws.
Scheming Khaward fell out with principal Marina Hitchens at Khartoum’s Unity High School and reported the teddy bear incident to get revenge. But Gillian was arrested instead of intended victim, Ms Hitchens.
Gillian said: “I was shocked at being reported by a colleague who must have known I meant no offence.”
Chief defence lawyer Kamal al-Gizouli said yesterday: “There is no question that Gillian was the totally innocent victim of a despicable act. The government has known from the start that this was a travesty and now it wants Gillian taken off its hands.” Naming the teddy bear Mohammed was part of a class project for Gillian’s students at the private school.
She was astonished to be arrested — but could have faced up to 40 lashes, six months in prison and a fine.
Gillian’s son John, 25, said he would not travel from Liverpool to Sudan because he hoped that a breakthrough was imminent.
---------------------------------------------
I think the funniest part is that "10,000 sword-wielding fanatics took to the streets demanding her execution". Good ol' Middle East.