A trainee associate with Express Newspapers owner Northern & Shell (N&S) played a crucial role in securing the release of Sunday Express reporter Yvonne Ridley from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, it emerged this week.

Salayha Hussain-Din accompanied The Express’ editorial director Paul Ashford to Islamabad to assist in negotiations for the freedom of Ridley. Ridley was held in Afghanistan for nine days after being captured by the Taliban for illegally entering the country.