PM demands release of hostages

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 22, 2009

GORDON Brown has sent his condolences to the families of two dead British hostages and called on their killers to release the remaining three captives 'immediately'.

The remains of Jason Creswell, originally from Glasgow, and Jason Swindlehurst, originally from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, were identified yesterday after being handed over to authorities in Baghdad late on Friday.

The security guards were among five Britons taken captive in May 2007.

The Prime Minister, speaking at Downing Street, said: "There is no justification for hostage-taking and I call on those holding them to release them immediately." Mr Brown said he had contacted the Iraqi Prime Minister and was working to secure the remaining hostages' release "as soon as possible".

The deaths were confirmed as it was revealed that many men are lured to Iraq by the promise of extremely lucrative contracts, with pounds 500 per day, tax-free, up for grabs from private security firms.

They work as bodyguards or oversee 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..