This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8241944.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Body of Iraq hostage arrives home | Body of Iraq hostage arrives home |
(10 minutes later) | |
The body of a British security guard killed after being taken hostage in Iraq has been flown back to the UK. | |
The Foreign Office said the body of Alec MacLachlan, 30, of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, arrived from Baghdad on Monday morning. | |
Members of his family were present at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to meet the flight, a spokesman said. | Members of his family were present at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to meet the flight, a spokesman said. |
Mr MacLachlan was one of five men kidnapped in 2007. The bodies of two others were returned to the UK in June. | |
In a statement, the Foreign Office said its staff remained in close contact with all the families and that their thoughts were with them "at this difficult time". | In a statement, the Foreign Office said its staff remained in close contact with all the families and that their thoughts were with them "at this difficult time". |
It is understood that an inquest into Mr MacLachlan's death will be opened by the Wiltshire coroner and then adjourned while investigations are carried out. | It is understood that an inquest into Mr MacLachlan's death will be opened by the Wiltshire coroner and then adjourned while investigations are carried out. |
Shot dead | Shot dead |
The five men - four security guards and the man were they were protecting, IT consultant Peter Moore - were captured at Baghdad's Ministry of Finance in May 2007. | The five men - four security guards and the man were they were protecting, IT consultant Peter Moore - were captured at Baghdad's Ministry of Finance in May 2007. |
The five hostages were taken in May 2007 | The five hostages were taken in May 2007 |
They were seized by about 40 men disguised as Iraqi policemen, who are understood to belong to an obscure militia known as Islamic Shia Resistance in Iraq. | They were seized by about 40 men disguised as Iraqi policemen, who are understood to belong to an obscure militia known as Islamic Shia Resistance in Iraq. |
The bodies of security guards Jason Swindlehurst, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and Jason Creswell, from Glasgow, were handed over to the Iraqi authorities in June. | The bodies of security guards Jason Swindlehurst, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and Jason Creswell, from Glasgow, were handed over to the Iraqi authorities in June. |
Tests later showed they died from gunshot wounds. | Tests later showed they died from gunshot wounds. |
Then in July, the BBC learned that two more of the men, including Mr MacLachlan, were also believed to be dead. | Then in July, the BBC learned that two more of the men, including Mr MacLachlan, were also believed to be dead. |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he believes Mr Moore is still alive. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he believes Mr Moore is still alive. |
"We continue to do everything we can for the return of the other hostages," a Foreign Office spokesman said. | "We continue to do everything we can for the return of the other hostages," a Foreign Office spokesman said. |