Militants in Iraq are claiming that a British hostage held for almost a year has committed suicide. The claim came in a video message passed to a London newspaper from a group purporting to have seized five Britons in Baghdad last year.
The video also features footage of one of the men – named only as Alan – pleading with the Government to take action to allow him to return home to his family in Scotland. The Foreign Office last night said it had no independent verification of the claims in the video and cannot comment on their veracity.
But the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said that the video, and a letter from the hostage takers, would cause "deep distress and concern to the families of the five men". In a statement, he condemned hostage taking as "a disgusting crime which is never justified".
The five men – an IT consultant named Peter Moore and four bodyguards whose identities have not yet been confirmed – were kidnapped in May last year from the Iraqi finance ministry by a Shia group who are demanding the release of prisoners from American detention.
Yesterday's video features a statement claiming that one of the men – named as Jason – killed himself on 25 May, four days before the first anniversary of their abduction. The others are understood still to be in captivity.
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, raised the case of the five hostages with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki when he visited Baghdad yesterday, said 10 Downing Street.
The statement, passed to The Sunday Times, signed by the Shia Islamic Resistance in Iraq, accuses the British Government of failing to respond to messages from the kidnappers and their captives.
"This procrastination, foot-dragging and lack of seriousness on the part of the British Government has prolonged their psychological deterioration, pushing one of them, Jason, to commit suicide on 25/5/2008," the statement said.
The hostage known as Alan, understood to be a father-of-two from Scotland, was shown on the film saying: "Physically, I'm not doing well. Psychologically, I'm doing a lot worse. I want to see my family again."
Mr Miliband restated government calls for the men's release. "As in the case of previous messages from the hostage takers, the Government emphasises the humanitarian appeal of the families for the men's release. The Foreign Office is in close contact with the men's families to offer all possible support," he said.
"We are also in close contact with the Iraqi government and with others in Iraq who recognise the need to find a way forward. Our officials in Iraq continue to be ready to work with anyone prepared to help in this case. Over the last six months, more and more people in Iraq have rejected violence and entered the political process. There is still a long way to go. We will continue to work with all those who seek peace and reconciliation."
In a statement released by Downing Street, Mr Brown said: "Clearly this is a very distressing development. We are taking this very seriously. There are many people working behind the scenes trying to find a solution. I raised the case of these men with Prime Minister Maliki. We both share a desire to see them returned safely to their families. I call on those holding the hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally."
The Sunday Times reported that an intermediary who handed the video to its representative said that the hostage known as Jason had attempted suicide on two previous occasions. Proof of death would be provided only if the British Government agreed to negotiate, he said.
The video, entitled Intihar – Arabic for suicide – opens with a photograph of a man identified as Jason in the militants' statement, which appears on-screen in Arabic.
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