BBC "deeply concerned" over Johnston claim

The BBC said late Sunday that it is "deeply concerned" by a claim that its Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston has been killed.

In a statement sent via fax to various news organisations, a group calling itself the Al Tawhid Al Jihad brigades ("Brigades of Holy War and Unity") said that it had killed Johnston. In a statement issued in response to the claim, the BBC emphasised that no independent verification was available.

"We are deeply concerned about what we are hearing, but we stress at this stage it is rumour with no independent verification," the corporation said.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that it was "urgently" looking into the claim. Palestinian authorities have said that they are not in possession of any information pertaining to Johnston.

30,000 signatures have been added to an online petition calling for Johnston's release. In an unprecedented move on Thursday, the BBC joined with CNN, Sky News and Al Jazeera English in a day of action for Johnston.