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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Isis: families of murdered hostages appeal to public for ‘act of unity’ | Isis: families of murdered hostages appeal to public for ‘act of unity’ |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Relatives of the two British hostages murdered in Syria by members of the terrorist group Islamic State have joined forces to call upon the public to come together in a “single act of unity” to defeat the hate of those who took their lives. | Relatives of the two British hostages murdered in Syria by members of the terrorist group Islamic State have joined forces to call upon the public to come together in a “single act of unity” to defeat the hate of those who took their lives. |
| Barbara Henning, wife of Alan Henning, and Mike Haines, whose brother David was the first British hostage to be killed by Isis, have released a public letter to the Guardian in which they call for the British people to embrace charity and human kindness as a way of reacting to the threat posed by the Islamist extremists in Syria and Iraq. | Barbara Henning, wife of Alan Henning, and Mike Haines, whose brother David was the first British hostage to be killed by Isis, have released a public letter to the Guardian in which they call for the British people to embrace charity and human kindness as a way of reacting to the threat posed by the Islamist extremists in Syria and Iraq. |
| The letter says: “We are writing this letter because we will not allow the actions of a few people to undermine the unity of people of all faiths in our society. How we react to this threat is also about all of us. Together we have the power to defeat the most hateful acts. Acts of unity from us all will in turn make us stronger and those who wish to divide us weaker. | The letter says: “We are writing this letter because we will not allow the actions of a few people to undermine the unity of people of all faiths in our society. How we react to this threat is also about all of us. Together we have the power to defeat the most hateful acts. Acts of unity from us all will in turn make us stronger and those who wish to divide us weaker. |
| “David and Alan’s killers want to hurt all of us and stop us from believing in the very things which took them into conflict zones – charity and human kindness. We condemn those who seek to drive us apart and spread hatred by attempting to place blame on Muslims or on the Islamic faith for the actions of these terrorists. | “David and Alan’s killers want to hurt all of us and stop us from believing in the very things which took them into conflict zones – charity and human kindness. We condemn those who seek to drive us apart and spread hatred by attempting to place blame on Muslims or on the Islamic faith for the actions of these terrorists. |
| “We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support we have received from the British public and others around the world. We call on all communities of all faiths in the coming weeks and months to find a single act of unity – one simple gesture, one act, one moment – that draws people together, as we saw in Manchester last week and as we are coming together in Perth today.” | “We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support we have received from the British public and others around the world. We call on all communities of all faiths in the coming weeks and months to find a single act of unity – one simple gesture, one act, one moment – that draws people together, as we saw in Manchester last week and as we are coming together in Perth today.” |
| The French journalist Nicolas Henin, who was held hostage for nine months by Isis in Syria, has spoken to ITV News. Henin, who was released in April, said he had built close relationships with both Henning and Haines, as well as the murdered American hostages James Foley and Steven Sotloff. | The French journalist Nicolas Henin, who was held hostage for nine months by Isis in Syria, has spoken to ITV News. Henin, who was released in April, said he had built close relationships with both Henning and Haines, as well as the murdered American hostages James Foley and Steven Sotloff. |
| Henin said Henning was a “total innocent. He didn’t go to make any money. Alan was a kind of teddy bear – always willing to help the others.” | Henin said Henning was a “total innocent. He didn’t go to make any money. Alan was a kind of teddy bear – always willing to help the others.” |
| He added that David Haines left the army because “he was fed up with it” and “dedicated himself to humanitarian action. I find it really immoral to have killed them.” The remaining British hostage still being held by Isis, John Cantlie, has broadcast several lectures – apparently under duress – condemning the US and UK for retaliating against Isis with air strikes. Henin said he hoped the broadcasts might help save his life. | He added that David Haines left the army because “he was fed up with it” and “dedicated himself to humanitarian action. I find it really immoral to have killed them.” The remaining British hostage still being held by Isis, John Cantlie, has broadcast several lectures – apparently under duress – condemning the US and UK for retaliating against Isis with air strikes. Henin said he hoped the broadcasts might help save his life. |
| “I’m optimistic that the lectures the captors asked him to deliver will be a way for him to pay for his life. I hope his captors will understand what a good guy he is.” | “I’m optimistic that the lectures the captors asked him to deliver will be a way for him to pay for his life. I hope his captors will understand what a good guy he is.” |
| David Haines was abducted in March last year by Isis while working in Syria for Acted, an aid group working in refugee camps in the north of the country. He was kidnapped near the Atmeh refugee camp near the Turkish border and the Syrian province of Idlib. A video of his murder was released by Isis on 13 September. | David Haines was abducted in March last year by Isis while working in Syria for Acted, an aid group working in refugee camps in the north of the country. He was kidnapped near the Atmeh refugee camp near the Turkish border and the Syrian province of Idlib. A video of his murder was released by Isis on 13 September. |
| Henning was captured in December 2013, while helping with humanitarian relief. A video showing his murder was released by Isis on 3 October. | Henning was captured in December 2013, while helping with humanitarian relief. A video showing his murder was released by Isis on 3 October. |
| Nicholas Henin said watching the hostage crisis unfold was hard and his thoughts were with the families. | |
| “Families always suffer even more than the hostages themselves. The worst thing is not to know anything, and not to be able to do anything. Families deserve a lot of respect and compassion.” | “Families always suffer even more than the hostages themselves. The worst thing is not to know anything, and not to be able to do anything. Families deserve a lot of respect and compassion.” |
| A memorial service will be held for Alan Henning on Saturday in the Perth congregational church. The Henning and Haines families have asked for donations to Hostage UK rather than floral tributes. |