Body of British hostage 'to be returned'

The body of a British hostage who was kidnapped in Iraq five years ago could be returned to the UK, according to reports.

Alan McMenemy, a security guard from Glasgow, was snatched by gunmen along with three other guards and an IT expert they were protecting in 2007.

The Foreign Office said it was working with the Iraqi authorities to bring the "horrendous ordeal" to a close.

The bodyguards' protection target, Peter Moore, was released alive in December 2009, and the bodies of the three other guards were returned to Britain.

Alec MacLachlan, 30, from Llanelli, south Wales, Jason Swindlehurst, 38, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and Jason Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow, were abducted with 36-year-old computer expert Mr Moore and Mr McMenemy, who was 34 at the time of the kidnap.

They were snatched by militants posing as police at the Iraqi finance ministry in May 2007.

The bodies of the three guards were passed to British authorities in Iraq in 2009. Mr Moore was released alive on December 30 the same year, 946 days after he was kidnapped.

The Foreign Office said: "We are aware of reports that Asaib Ahel al-Haq say they are prepared to return the body of Alan McMenemy, missing in Iraq since 2007.

"The uncertainty over Alan's fate has been a source of great distress for his family.

"It has been a horrendous ordeal for everyone involved. We are working with the Iraqi authorities and others to bring this matter to resolution."

PA