Gillian Gibbons, the British teacher accused by the authorities in Khartoum of insulting Muslims, was sentenced to 15 days in jail by a court in the Sudanese ­capital on Thursday, prompting an immediate protest by the government.

Mrs Gibbons was charged on Wednesday with insulting Islam, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs after her class named a teddy bear Mohammed. She will be deported after completing her term.