PM leads condolences over Iraq hostages
Gordon Brown has expressed his “very severe condolences” to the families of two British men whose bodies were handed over to UK authorities in Iraq on Friday.
Today the two bodies were identified as Jason Creswell and Jason Swindlehurst, two out of five men taken hostage two years ago in Baghdad.
“It is with deep regret that we have today informed the families of the hostages that, based on very strong indications, the two bodies recovered are highly likely to be those of Jason Creswell, originally from Glasgow, and Jason Swindlehurst, originally from Skelmersdale,” a Foreign Office statement said.
Mr Creswell and Mr Swindlehurst were among a four-strong contingent of bodyguards assigned to protect IT consultant Peter Moore when 40 or so gunmen wearing police uniforms bundled them into a van in broad daylight in May 2007 at the Iraqi finance ministry.
The Shia Muslim group holding them hostage had previously claimed Mr Swindlehurst had committed suicide, a claim refuted by his family. It is understood both men had been dead for some time before their bodies were handed over to British officials via Iraqi authorities on Friday.
“Foreign Office officials are in close contact with all the families,” the Foreign Office added. “Our thoughts are with them at this sad time, and we ask that the media allow them privacy to deal with this news.
“We continue to do everything we can towards the safe release of the other hostages.”
The remaining hostages are Mr Moore and two other bodyguards known only as Alan and Alec.
“Today the families of Jason Creswell and Jason Swindlehurst have had the worst possible news after two years of very anxious waiting,” Gordon Brown said in response to today’s news.
“I want to send the families our very sincere condolences.”
The prime minister added: “There is no justification for hostage-taking and I call on those people who are holding the other Iraqi and British hostages to release them immediately.”
