Concerns over teacher 'relayed to highest level in Sudan'

Foreign Secretary David Miliband today insisted Britain's concerns over Gillian Gibbons' ordeal were being addressed at the "highest level" of Sudan's Government.

Speaking after meeting the country's ambassador in Whitehall, Mr Miliband repeated his belief that the teacher had made an "innocent mistake" in allowing her pupils to name a teddy bear Mohammed.

But in a restrained statement as Ms Gibbons appeared in court in Khartoum, he also set out the UK's "real respect" for Sudan's Islamic religion.

"Britain has also enjoyed close relations with Sudan for many years based on our mutual respect for each other's religious and cultural values," he said.

"The Sudanese Ambassador undertook to ensure our concerns were relayed to Khartoum at the highest level. He also said he would reflect back to Khartoum the real respect for the Islamic religion in this country."

Mr Miliband said he raised Britain's "serious concerns" during the discussions with Ambassador Omer Siddig.

"We believe that this was an innocent misunderstanding," he said in a statement.

"I reaffirmed that the British Government fully respects the faith of Islam and Britain has a long-standing tradition of religious tolerance.

"There is a large Muslim population in the United Kingdom who make a major contribution to our national life."

Earlier, Mr Miliband had told reporters that although he respected Sudan's legal processes, "common sense" must prevail in the case.