Scots protester's 'success' claim

Iain Thom is welcomed back to the UK by a supporter

A Scot deported from China for his part in a pro-Tibet protest has told his family the demonstration was a success.

Iain Thom, from Edinburgh, was unaware of the media attention the unfurling of a banner near the Olympic stadium had created until he spoke to his parents.

His father Brian said his son's reaction to the news was to say the protest achieved its aim.

Iain Thom, 24, and fellow campaigner Lucy Fairbrother, 23, of Cambridge, have arrived back in the UK.

The pair attended a press conference shortly after flying into London.

Lighting pole

Speaking from the family home in Muir of Ord in the Highlands, Brian Thom said his son would eventually return to Edinburgh.

Brian Thom told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the family were looking forward to a happy reunion.

Iain Thom, Ms Fairbrother and two US activists were held after a protest near the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium.

The protesters scaled a 120ft-high (36.5m) lighting pole early on Wednesday morning and unfurled banners reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet" and "Tibet will be free".

The action was timed before the arrival of the Olympic torch in Tiananmen Square.

A Beijing Olympics spokesman said the action was unacceptable and "illegal".

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