Israel lifts ban on BBC producer

Vanunu has remained outspoken since his release

Israel has lifted a ban on a senior BBC producer whom it had accused of breaking censorship rules over the nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu.

Israel had refused to renew Simon Wilson's visa after it expired in 2004.

Wilson angered the Israelis after he refused to comply with an Israeli demand for the tapes of an interview with Vanunu.

Vanunu is banned from talking to the press, having spent 18 years in jail for disclosing Israeli nuclear secrets.

Wilson was acting bureau chief when a private production company interviewed Vanunu for the BBC in May 2004, shortly after his release.

Israel says military and Shin Bet security service officials called Wilson requesting to see the interview before it left the country, in case it contained material sensitive to national security.

The BBC said in a statement: "The BBC has been in discussions with the Israeli government since January over the issue of a work visa for Simon Wilson.... following what the Israeli government perceived to be a censorship infringement.

"These discussions have now concluded, and the Israelis have indicated their willingness to renew the visa."

Wilson has now returned to Israel.