United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown Demands Iraq Hostages' Release
20 July 2008 - Gordon Brown has said the Government would do "everything in our power" to secure the release of British hostages
being held in Iraq.
A video message claiming that one of the men had committed suicide was condemned as "abhorrent" by the Prime Minister,
who called for their immediate and unconditional release.
Speaking during a visit in Israel, Mr Brown said:
"This abhorrent film will only add to the anguish of families who have suffered a great deal over a year for their loved
ones who have been kept in captivity. I call on the hostage takers to release these people who have been held in
captivity immediately.
"I will work with the Iraqi government, as I said to Prime Minister Maliki yesterday, to secure their release, and we
will do everything in our power to work with everyone who is in a position to help us release these hostages. These men
have suffered enough."
The five men - an IT consultant named Peter Moore and four bodyguards whose identities have not been confirmed - were
seized in May last year from the Iraqi finance ministry by a Shi'ite group who are demanding the release of nine
prisoners detained by UK forces in southern Iraq.
ENDS