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Claims of deal over UK hostages Claims of deal over UK hostages
(10 minutes later)
The kidnappers of five Britons held in Iraq for nearly two years claim to have reached a deal over their release, according to an unconfirmed report.The kidnappers of five Britons held in Iraq for nearly two years claim to have reached a deal over their release, according to an unconfirmed report.
The Guardian claims a statement from the hostage-takers said Britain and the US had agreed to trade one hostage for 10 detained Sadrist militants.The Guardian claims a statement from the hostage-takers said Britain and the US had agreed to trade one hostage for 10 detained Sadrist militants.
The statement is from a Shia group called Leagues of the Righteous.The statement is from a Shia group called Leagues of the Righteous.
The Foreign Office refused to comment on the Guardian's story but said it was doing all it could to release the men.The Foreign Office refused to comment on the Guardian's story but said it was doing all it could to release the men.
The Leagues of the Righteous spokesman said one of the hostages would be freed soon, along with up to eight men, all Sadrist loyalists, currently being held by the US army in Iraq, according to the Guardian.The Leagues of the Righteous spokesman said one of the hostages would be freed soon, along with up to eight men, all Sadrist loyalists, currently being held by the US army in Iraq, according to the Guardian.
Guantanamo Bay Safety concerns
It is understood a former spokesman for the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and a Lebanese Hezbollah leader captured in Iraq in 2007 are among the group of detained militants.It is understood a former spokesman for the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and a Lebanese Hezbollah leader captured in Iraq in 2007 are among the group of detained militants.
Mr Mohamed returned to the UK in February 2009 after seven years in custody - four of which were spent in the US camp at Guantanamo Bay.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the investigation would focus on an MI5 officer known as Witness B, who travelled to Karachi in 2002 to question Mr Mohamed.
Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent It could still be days, or even weeks, before there are any further signs of progress towards the release of five British hostages held in Iraq since May 2007.Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent It could still be days, or even weeks, before there are any further signs of progress towards the release of five British hostages held in Iraq since May 2007.
But officials working behind the scenes say they are more optimistic now than at any time since the men were seized in broad daylight in Baghdad's Finance Ministry by 40 gunmen disguised as policemen.But officials working behind the scenes say they are more optimistic now than at any time since the men were seized in broad daylight in Baghdad's Finance Ministry by 40 gunmen disguised as policemen.
This month a "proof-of-life" video was sent by the kidnappers, an obscure Shia militant group with links to Iran, showing one of the hostages Peter Moore.This month a "proof-of-life" video was sent by the kidnappers, an obscure Shia militant group with links to Iran, showing one of the hostages Peter Moore.
It is thought that his captors are now keen to resolve the situation and have agreed in principle to release the hostages one by one in exchange for a number of prominent Shia militants being held by the US military.It is thought that his captors are now keen to resolve the situation and have agreed in principle to release the hostages one by one in exchange for a number of prominent Shia militants being held by the US military.
British officials stress that it is not Britain leading the negotiations but Iraqis, using mediators in intermittent contact with the kidnappers.British officials stress that it is not Britain leading the negotiations but Iraqis, using mediators in intermittent contact with the kidnappers.
It is alleged that Witness B told Mr Mohamed that his only way out of Pakistani custody was to co-operate fully, and that the officer knew to where Mr Mohamed would be subsequently rendered.
Baroness Scotland said she had invited the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, to begin an inquiry.
"I have expressed to the commissioner the hope that the investigation can be taken forward as expeditiously as possible given the seriousness and sensitivity of the issues involved," she said.
"The conduct of the investigation will be a matter for the police, with advice from the Crown Prosecution Service."
The allegations were referred to law officers in 2008 by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
In a statement, she said the government and the security services would co-operate fully with the police if asked.
"Wherever allegations of wrongdoing are made, they are taken seriously," Ms Smith added.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown insisted that the UK did not tolerate torture, but said the security services had his unequivocal support.
"I want to stand up for our security services because they cannot stand up for themselves," Mr Brown added.
But Zachary Katznelson, the legal director of charity Reprieve, whose lawyers represent Mr Mohamed, said he was concerned that crucial evidence would be kept from the inquiry.
"Many of the documents related to Mr Mohamed's treatment have been classified either in the US or the UK and unless the police have access to all of them, they will only see one tiny piece of the picture," he added.
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said Mr Mohamed's claims raised broader concerns.
'Safety concerns'
The Britons - a computer expert and his four bodyguards - were working in Baghdad's Iraqi Finance Ministry in May 2007 when they were surrounded by 40 gunmen disguised as policemen and driven off towards a Shia area.The Britons - a computer expert and his four bodyguards - were working in Baghdad's Iraqi Finance Ministry in May 2007 when they were surrounded by 40 gunmen disguised as policemen and driven off towards a Shia area.
At first there was a news blackout, demanded by the kidnappers.At first there was a news blackout, demanded by the kidnappers.
This was followed by the release of various disturbing videos showing the men making statements, possibly under duress.This was followed by the release of various disturbing videos showing the men making statements, possibly under duress.
Britain has insisted it would never change its policy in Iraq and negotiations have so far only resulted in stalemate.Britain has insisted it would never change its policy in Iraq and negotiations have so far only resulted in stalemate.
Referring to the Guardian's report, the Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We've seen similar reports.Referring to the Guardian's report, the Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We've seen similar reports.
"We are not going to comment on one media report on alleged remarks by people claiming to be hostage-takers."We are not going to comment on one media report on alleged remarks by people claiming to be hostage-takers.
"We continue to do everything we can to try and secure the safe release of the hostages and remain extremely concerned for their safety."We continue to do everything we can to try and secure the safe release of the hostages and remain extremely concerned for their safety.
"We call on those holding the hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally so that they can be reunited with their families and friends.""We call on those holding the hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally so that they can be reunited with their families and friends."
Except for Peter Moore, the computer technician from Lincoln, the kidnapped men have not been fully identified for security reasons.Except for Peter Moore, the computer technician from Lincoln, the kidnapped men have not been fully identified for security reasons.
But their family and friends have made several public appeals for their return.But their family and friends have made several public appeals for their return.