Breaking news: Foreign office confirms seven Viva Palestina people detained by Tunisia

Gaza Solidarity has heard from the Foreign Office. Seven British citizens are being detained by the Tunisian authorities. As yet they have not been charged. The FO has not protested to the Tunisian government but is 'seeking immediate access' to the detained. Normal consular assistance is being provided but the FO is not releasing the names of the detained. The seven are being held at Sfax and the rest of the convoy has continued on to Gabes.

The Foreign Office spokewoman did not appear to be very well briefed on the situation in Tunisia. Firstly she spoke of 'several' persons being detained and only after further questioning did she reveal the number to be seven. When asked where the seven were being detained she replied: "good question" and after a few moments was able to provide the location. Unfortunately there is no information on the Viva Palestina website about the arrests and George Galloway has not communicated through his Twitter feed.

Still haven't heard from the Tunisian Embassy in London and that will be our next phone call.[17:39 GMT - can't get hold of anyone, apart from the caretaker, at the Tunisian embassy]

When the Viva Palestina convoy entered Tunisia at the border town of Gafsa the authorities were caught unprepared by the popular support for the convoy and according to some on the convoy they may have feared 'a riot'.

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