More From Sudan

This is getting to be a problem:

A British teacher has been charged with insulting religion and inciting hatred after allowing her class to name a teddy bear Mohammed.

Gillian Gibbons faces 40 lashes - and the British Government has shown its anger by summoning the Sudanese ambassador in London as a "matter of urgency".

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said: "We are surprised and disappointed by this development."

Diplomatically put! The court's options are lashes, a fine or 6 months in prison.

"There is a suggestion here that President Bashir himself may pardon her at some stage - this is just coming through from one of his advisers," he said.

"It suggests that the Sudanese Government had to go this far in charging her - but is not happy with the potential embarrassment this may cause."

She won't be lashed or thrown in prison. Possibly fined. That is an easy way out - something nominal. And the government should be embarrassed, although I wasn't aware they were capable of embarrassment.