ABDUCTION OF ALAN JOHNSTON

Early day motion 1194, tabled 21 March 2007 by Lord Swire (Conservative). Signed by 69 members.

That this House condemns the abduction of the highly respected BBC reporter Alan Johnston; notes that he was the only Western journalist living in Gaza; offers support to his family; recognises the vital importance of independent reporting in Gaza and other volatile environments and the risks journalists take in reporting from danger zones; further notes that 14 foreign journalists in Gaza have been abuducted since August 2005; and supports the ongoing efforts of the BBC and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to secure his release at the earliest opportunity.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Conservative 18, Liberal Democrat 16, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.