The Government has been in talks with the radical cleric Abu Qatada - known as Osama bin Laden's "spiritual ambassador in Europe" - over whether he would be prepared to make an appeal for the release of the kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston.

A Foreign Office spokesman today confirmed that it had talked to the lawyer representing the imprisoned Islamic fundamentalist, whom Britain is trying to deport to his native Jordan, as fresh vigils were held for the reporter on his 45th birthday.

Mr Johnston was abducted on March 12 as he headed home from work in Gaza City. A Palestinian group called the Army of Islam claimed to be holding the correspondent earlier this month and demanded that Abu Qatada be released.

"We have been in discussions with Abu Qatada’s lawyer to see whether he would be willing to make a humanitarian appeal for Alan Johnston’s safe release," a Foreign Office spokesman confirmed.

He refused to elaborate on how advanced the talks were, or what Abu Qatada had decided to do.

The BBC today welcomed news of the Foreign Office's approach. "As we have said over the past 66 days we welcome any assistance from any individual who might be in a position to influence the release of Alan Johnston," a spokesman said.

The Government has for six years been trying to deport Abu Qatada to Jordan, most recently under a special deal struck with his country's ruler, King Abdullah II, that he would not violate European torture and mistreatment rules.

The Home Office hoped that such an undertaking would get around the law preventing the deportation of any terror suspect to a regime where he is likely to face torture or death. A judge has ruled in favour of the Home Office on the matter, however Abu Qatada is appealing against the judgment and remains in prison in London.

The radical cleric, who has Palestinian-Jordanian descent and is a Jordanian citizen, was once described by a Spanish judge as Osama bin Laden’s "spiritual ambassador in Europe". The British Government accuses him of raising funds for extremist groups and offering "spiritual advice and religious legitimacy" to militants planning attacks.

Today, vigils were held for Mr Johnston at the BBC's Tehran bureau, the Moscow House of Journalists and the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong. Another gathering was taking place in Ramallah, on the Palestinian West Bank.

In a statement to mark the journalist's birthday, the BBC director-general, Mark Thompson, said: “Since Alan’s abduction, he has been constantly in our thoughts.

“It is particularly sad that he cannot celebrate his birthday with the people close to him.

“Across the BBC, I know there are thousands of Alan’s friends and colleagues all fervently hoping that he is safe and will soon be free to return home to his family.”

The BBC said it would continue its petition calling for the journalist’s release, which has now been signed by 93,000 people.

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