Alan Johnston's Release and the Role of Hamas

BBC journalist Alan Johnston was released yesterday after four months as a hostage in Gaza. Britain's foreign secretary acknowledged the critical role played by Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the West. "The international community's support for Mahmoud Abbas as the legitimate President of Palestine should not preclude contact with Hamas" says a motion in the British Parliament, introduced by members of all political parties, including the First Minister of Scotland. Has Hamas earned the right to another look? Conal Urquhart, Middle East correspondent for the Guardian, has just returned from a party for Johnston.