Remaining hostages may still be alive

Published on Sunday 21 June 2009 15:33

The handover of the remains of two of five British hostages in Iraq suggests the remaining three are still alive, a respected military expert said today.

Captain Doug Beattie, who recently retired from service with the Royal Irish Regiment, said the bodies were a "signal" to the British Government and the security company which employed the two dead captives.

The evidence would suggest "deep, deep negotiations" are ongoing behind the scenes, Mr Beattie, who served in Iraq and was later decorated for bravery in Afghanistan, added.

The soldier, author of the hit book An Ordinary Soldier, said: "The release of these bodies is no coincidence – it suggests a very deliberate act on behalf of the captors.

"We must all be very careful not to endanger the lives of those still being held, but there is every reason to hope and believe they are still alive.

"There will be deep, deep negotiations going on."

With Peter Moore confirmed as not among the bodies, Mr Beattie said he believed the hostage-takers were targeting GardaWorld, the Canadian security firm which employed his guards.

With 500 per day, tax-free, up for grabs from private security firms, many are drawn to spending a year or so in places like Iraq, working as bodyguards or overseeing convoys.

Most of those who take up the offers are ex-soldiers, from the elite regiments of the armed forces, highly trained in looking after themselves and their charges.

They work for private security companies who hold contracts with either Iraqi businesses or government organisations.

Mr Beattie, who will release a second book, Taskforce Helmand, added: "The firm will be very mindful of the fact that they will be supporting the families of those who have died and will be considering whether they will be able to do that again if the other two security officers are killed.

"It would suggest there are monetary reasons for handing these bodies over and the Government does not give ransoms in these situations."

"We can only hope there could be the imminent release of the remaining three."

He said he sympathised with Mr Moore's father Graeme, who complained of a blackout of information from the Government, but added: "I feel sorry for both sides. There will be reasons the Government has to hold information back.

"Negotiations, particularly at the moment, will be critical."

News broken to familes of dead hostages

Relatives of two dead British hostages handed to authorities in Iraq were coming to terms with their loss today.

The families of five men captured in Baghdad in 2007 were informed this morning whether their relatives were still alive after forensics identified the remains of two bodies handed to authorities on Friday.

Relatives of two of them – Peter Moore and Alec, a bodyguard from south Wales whose identity has not been revealed for security reasons – have confirmed the pair were not among the dead.