Dilemma over 'forgotten' hostages

ONE of five British hostages kidnapped last year by Shia militants in Baghdad has killed himself, according to a videotape purporting to come from the group responsible. Gordon Brown, on a visit to the Middle East, has called for the release of all the hostages – four bodyguards and a computer expert – though the government continues to reject the kidnappers' demands which include the release of Iraqi insurgents held by the Americans.

This particular hostage episode has many curious features. It has always lacked the spotlight of publicity which surrounded the taking of other British citizens in Iraq, largely because the UK government and the kidnappers originally wished it so. Th...