We didn't even negotiate with right people on Iraq hostages – minister

Published on Thursday 16 July 2009 22:01

THE Foreign Office has insisted it is working "intensively" to secure the release of three British hostages in Iraq after a former minister suggested the government may have wasted valuable time negotiating with the wrong people.

Kim Howells, who spent three years as a Foreign Office minister, cast doubts on efforts to free five Britons, two of whom have been murdered by their Iraqi captors.

IT consultant Peter Moore, 36, and his four bodyguards, including two Scots, were seized in Baghdad in May 2007 by a gang of 40 armed men. The bodies of security guards Jason Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow, and Jason Swindlehurst, 38, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, were handed over to authorities in Baghdad last month.

Efforts are continuing to free Mr Moore and the two surviving guards – one called Alec and the other known only as Alan, who is married with two children and comes from Dumbarton.

Dr Howells, who left the Foreign Office last October, is now chairman of the Commons intelligence and security committee, which is granted confidential insight into the workings of Britain's military and its secret services.

Dr Howells said much of the previous negotiation had involved "extremely dubious middlemen". He said: "I'm not convinced we were ever negotiating with the right people – that's doubtful.

"We would hear stories that the kidnappers had influence with elements of the Iraqi government, or there were ministers in the Iraqi government who knew roughly who was involved in this kidnap and they would persuade people to release the hostages. None of this proved to be true."

In May, a source with knowledge of the negotiations suggested dialogue had been established with "the right people".

Responsibility for the kidnapping was at first pinned on Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. It was thought to be a retaliatory attack for the killing by British forces of its commander in Basra.

But Sadr's followers denied responsibility and suspicion fell on splinter groups that the United States believes are controlled by Iran.

The kidnappers, calling themselves the Islamic Shiite Resistance in Iraq, have issued several videos featuring the captives and making demands.

The Foreign Office was reluctant to discuss negotiations, but insisted it continued to "work intensively" to secure the hostages' release in "this highly complex case". A spokesman said: "The effort involves staff from across government, the military, police, and staff in Baghdad. We work closely with trusted Iraqi counterparts, including the police, and have excellent co-operation.

"We keep in very close contact with the next-of-kin as nominated by the hostages."

A spokesman for the families said no comment was being made in response to Dr Howells' remarks.