British hostage being held in Iraq 'commits suicide'

London: A claim made by Iraqi militants that one of five captured Britons committed suicide is being taken seriously, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Saturday.

British media reported that a video-taped statement said a British man being held by militants in Iraq killed himself. The tape said the man - known as Jason - died on May 25.

In response to the development, Brown said in a statement: "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.''

Brown said he discussed the issue with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki in Baghdad on Saturday. "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 British Foreign Office has yet to corroborate the claims.
The men were all kidnapped in May 2007, after militants disguised as Iraqi police officers took them from the Finance Ministry.

The video mentions the alleged suicide in a criticism of the UK government for a lack of co-operation.

It said: "This procrastination and 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.''

"He surprised our brethren, who were taking care of him, with his suicide."

The video also shows another hostage called, Alan, who doesn't mention the apparent suicide.

He said: "Physically, I'm not doing well. Psychologically, I'm doing a lot worse. I want to see my family again."