Israel Matzav

Was Johnston murdered?

AFP is reporting that al-Beeb and the British foreign office are 'urgently looking into reports' that kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston [pictured at top left. CiJ] has been murdered in the Gaza Strip.

Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs

"We've heard of those reports but we don't have any independent verification of them at the moment," a BBC spokeswoman said.

"Obviously, we are deeply concerned about what we're hearing. We are obviously making urgent inquiries about this because it's of great concern to us to hear those sort of rumours.

"No group has claimed responsibility, even to say that he was abducted, so we've never had confirmation that he was abducted. Obviously, we have to assume that he has disappeared, but there has not been any direct or indirect link by the BBC with any group."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the report and are urgently looking into it."

If this turns out to be true, don't expect Britain's National Union of Journalists to acknowledge the egg on their faces. They'll find a way to blame Israel anyway.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:32 PM