Hostage families 'upset' at report

Jul 29 2009

The families of five Britons kidnapped in Iraq have said they are "deeply upset and troubled" at reports that another two of the men have died.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials told relatives of security guards Alan McMenemy and Alec MacLachlan last week that their loved ones were "very likely" to be dead.

This follows the release of the bodies of hostages Jason Swindlehurst and Jason Creswell to the British Embassy in Baghdad last month.

The developments have left relatives of the fifth captive, IT consultant Peter Moore, desperate for news about his fate.

In a joint statement the families of all five hostages said: "We are all deeply upset and troubled to hear the reports that Alec and Alan have died in the hands of their captors, as well as Jason Swindlehurst and Jason Creswell.

"This is a terrible ordeal for us all. We ask those holding our men for compassion when so many are working hard for reconciliation in Iraq and we continue to pray for the safe return of our men."

The five Britons - Mr Moore, 36, from Lincoln, and his four bodyguards - were seized by about 40 armed men wearing police uniforms at the finance ministry in Baghdad on May 29, 2007.

The families of Mr McMenemy, who is believed to have lived in Glasgow, and Mr MacLachlan, from Llanelli, South Wales, are now seeking firm information about what has happened to the men.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office refused to comment on the case, saying it did not discuss operational details.

A spokeswoman said British officials received "lots of information from lots of sources" and the families were kept closely informed.