Sign in Subscribe
Murder

British Hostages in Iraq: Families "Deeply Upset" by Reports of Murders

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The families of four British hostages in Iraq are struggling to come to terms with the news that two of their loved ones are "very likely dead", while a fifth man remains unaccounted for after a year-long hostage crisis. The security guards, Alan McMenemy and Alec MacLachlan, were kidnapped by an obscure militia group in May 2007, sparking a prolonged ordeal for all five families. The British government has confirmed that it informed the families of the probable deaths of McMenemy and MacLachlan, but has vowed to continue efforts to secure the release of Peter Moore, the remaining hostage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The families of British hostages in Iraq have expressed deep concern over the probable deaths of two security guards, Alan McMenemy and Alec MacLachlan, who were kidnapped by an obscure militia group in May 2007.
  • The crisis, which began with the kidnapping of four men, including IT consultant Peter Moore, has been ongoing for over a year, with families expressing frustration with the Foreign Office's handling of the situation.
  • The British government has confirmed that it informed the families of the probable deaths of McMenemy and MacLachlan, adding that the situation is "the worst of news".
  • The fate of the fifth hostage, IT consultant Peter Moore, remains unknown, with the British government stating that it still believes him to be alive.
  • A statement by all five families has appealed for the hostage-takers to free the men or release their bodies, with the government vowing to do everything possible to secure Moore's release.
  • Families have been critical of the Foreign Office's handling of the situation, with former foreign office minister Kim Howells suggesting that the government may have wasted time by negotiating with "extremely dubious middlemen".
  • The security guards, McMenemy and MacLachlan were kidnapped along with three other men, with the bodies of two colleagues recently being passed to Britain.

Statistics:

  • Four British hostages were kidnapped by an obscure militia group in May 2007.
  • Two of the hostages, Alan McMenemy and Alec MacLachlan, are "very likely dead", according to the British government.
  • The fate of the fifth hostage, IT consultant Peter Moore, remains unknown.
  • The crisis has been ongoing for over a year, with the first video message from the hostage-takers released in March 2008, showing Moore alive.
  • The security guards, McMenemy and MacLachlan, were kidnapped along with three other men, with the bodies of two colleagues recently being passed to Britain.
  • The British government has confirmed that it has informed the families of the probable deaths of McMenemy and MacLachlan.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • The Times
  • BBC News
  • Foreign Office statement (no date)

Read more