Ex-BBC journalist Andrew North ‘kidnapped’ by the Taliban, reports suggest

Andrew North is said to be one of nine people taken

Ex-BBC journalist Andrew North is among a number of foreigners kidnapped by the Taliban, reports on Friday suggested. Afghanistan's former Vice President Amrullah Saleh wrote in a tweet that nine people from western countries, including North, a former BBC journalist, and current UN worker, are among those taken by the group in recent months. He tweeted: "Due to no media, no reporting by citizens and a suffocating atmosphere corruption, crime and atrocities aren't well exposed. "As an example nine citizens of western countries have been kidnapped amongst them Andrew North of BBC & Peter Juvenal owner of Gandomak Restaurant. "Talibans are liars." https://twitter.com/AmrullahSaleh2/status/1492033485648896020 The claims were backed-up by Afghanistan media, with one journalist tweeting: "Former BBC journalist Andrew North have been kidnapped by the Taliban. Sources confirmed to AFIntlBrk that the number of foreigners kidnapped by the Taliban reached to 9." The Taliban are yet to comment on the claims. In a recent note posted on his personal website, North described his trip to several Afghan provinces and meeting with Taliban leaders, the Mirror reported. UK withdrew its diplomats from Kabul last year, but officials returned to Afghanistan for talks on Thursday.