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Alan Henning 'killed by Islamic State' | Alan Henning 'killed by Islamic State' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A video purporting to show UK hostage Alan Henning being beheaded has been released by Islamic State militants. | A video purporting to show UK hostage Alan Henning being beheaded has been released by Islamic State militants. |
The Salford taxi driver was delivering aid to Syria in December when he was kidnapped and then held hostage by IS. | The Salford taxi driver was delivering aid to Syria in December when he was kidnapped and then held hostage by IS. |
IS threatened to kill him in footage last month showing the death of Briton David Haines, and in this video they threaten US aid worker Peter Kassig. | IS threatened to kill him in footage last month showing the death of Briton David Haines, and in this video they threaten US aid worker Peter Kassig. |
David Cameron said Britain would do all it could "to hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice". | David Cameron said Britain would do all it could "to hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice". |
The prime minister said the killing of father-of-two Mr Henning, 47, showed "how barbaric and repulsive" IS was. | The prime minister said the killing of father-of-two Mr Henning, 47, showed "how barbaric and repulsive" IS was. |
"My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan's wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him," he said. | "My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan's wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him," he said. |
"Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need." | "Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need." |
Mr Henning's wife Barbara had this week appealed for her husband's release, saying: "He is innocent." | Mr Henning's wife Barbara had this week appealed for her husband's release, saying: "He is innocent." |
IS has previously released videos showing the apparent beheadings of two US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker Mr Haines. | IS has previously released videos showing the apparent beheadings of two US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker Mr Haines. |
The video released on Friday is yet to be verified, but it appears to show Mr Henning kneeling beside a militant, dressed in black, in a desert setting. | The video released on Friday is yet to be verified, but it appears to show Mr Henning kneeling beside a militant, dressed in black, in a desert setting. |
The footage ends with an IS fighter threatening a man they identify as Mr Kassig. | The footage ends with an IS fighter threatening a man they identify as Mr Kassig. |
In a statement, Mr Kassig's family said he had converted to Islam and referred to him as Abdul Rahman Kassig. | |
They asked people around the world to pray for his release and that of "all innocent people being held hostage in the Middle East and around the globe". | |
They also asked people to pray for Mr Henning's family, adding: "We have read about his work and his generous character with great respect and admiration." | They also asked people to pray for Mr Henning's family, adding: "We have read about his work and his generous character with great respect and admiration." |
'British accent' | 'British accent' |
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the footage was similar to previous videos released by IS, though slightly shorter. | BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the footage was similar to previous videos released by IS, though slightly shorter. |
He said it included a reference to last week's vote by UK Parliament to authorise air strikes against IS in Iraq. | He said it included a reference to last week's vote by UK Parliament to authorise air strikes against IS in Iraq. |
Like previous videos it features a militant with an apparently British accent, he added. | Like previous videos it features a militant with an apparently British accent, he added. |
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are aware of the video and are working urgently to verify the contents. | The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are aware of the video and are working urgently to verify the contents. |
"If true, this is a further disgusting murder. | "If true, this is a further disgusting murder. |
"We are offering the family every support possible; they ask to be left alone at this time." | "We are offering the family every support possible; they ask to be left alone at this time." |
The US said it was evaluating the video and if proved real, it was "another demonstration of the brutality" of the militant group. | The US said it was evaluating the video and if proved real, it was "another demonstration of the brutality" of the militant group. |
Analysis | Analysis |
Frank Gardner, security correspondent, BBC News | Frank Gardner, security correspondent, BBC News |
This latest murder video from the jihadists who call themselves Islamic State is likely to dismay and disgust even many of those who disapprove of western military action against IS. | This latest murder video from the jihadists who call themselves Islamic State is likely to dismay and disgust even many of those who disapprove of western military action against IS. |
While countless Muslims have already condemned the extreme and graphic violence of IS, the case of Alan Henning struck a special chord with his many Muslim friends. | While countless Muslims have already condemned the extreme and graphic violence of IS, the case of Alan Henning struck a special chord with his many Muslim friends. |
He had given up Christmas with his family to deliver aid to Syrians in need, only to end up in the hands of his eventual murderers. | He had given up Christmas with his family to deliver aid to Syrians in need, only to end up in the hands of his eventual murderers. |
Even individuals who the UK government suspected of extremist leanings had pleaded for his release. | Even individuals who the UK government suspected of extremist leanings had pleaded for his release. |
The fact that their pleas fell on deaf ears may now possibly convince others sympathetic to IS that their actions are beyond the pale. | The fact that their pleas fell on deaf ears may now possibly convince others sympathetic to IS that their actions are beyond the pale. |
US President Barack Obama led widespread condemnation of the killing, calling it a "brutal murder" and saying it was a "great loss" to the Syrian people Mr Henning had been trying to help. | US President Barack Obama led widespread condemnation of the killing, calling it a "brutal murder" and saying it was a "great loss" to the Syrian people Mr Henning had been trying to help. |
Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, tweeted: "Saddened by reported murder of Alan Henning. A despicable and offensive act. He helped Muslims. My thoughts and prayers with his family." | Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, tweeted: "Saddened by reported murder of Alan Henning. A despicable and offensive act. He helped Muslims. My thoughts and prayers with his family." |
Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said: "This barbaric killing is an attack against all decent people around the world." | Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said: "This barbaric killing is an attack against all decent people around the world." |
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg offered his "sincere condolences" to the Henning family and said of IS: "We are resolved to defeat this evil." | Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg offered his "sincere condolences" to the Henning family and said of IS: "We are resolved to defeat this evil." |
Labour leader Ed Miliband called the killing "appalling and barbaric". | Labour leader Ed Miliband called the killing "appalling and barbaric". |
Earlier this week Mrs Henning had asked for "mercy" for her husband, saying his family was continuing their attempts to communicate with the group. | Earlier this week Mrs Henning had asked for "mercy" for her husband, saying his family was continuing their attempts to communicate with the group. |
She also said she had received an audio message of her husband pleading for his life. | She also said she had received an audio message of her husband pleading for his life. |
Mrs Henning had said some people thought her husband was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but she said: "He was in the right place doing the right thing." | Mrs Henning had said some people thought her husband was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but she said: "He was in the right place doing the right thing." |
Earlier on Friday, the father of another hostage, British journalist John Cantlie, appealed for him to be released "to those he loves and who love him". | Earlier on Friday, the father of another hostage, British journalist John Cantlie, appealed for him to be released "to those he loves and who love him". |
The journalist, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012, has so far appeared in three videos in which he has delivered scripted messages responding to military attacks on IS. | The journalist, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012, has so far appeared in three videos in which he has delivered scripted messages responding to military attacks on IS. |
RAF Tornados first hit IS targets on Tuesday, four days after Parliament authorised UK involvement in the military campaign. | RAF Tornados first hit IS targets on Tuesday, four days after Parliament authorised UK involvement in the military campaign. |
The aircraft have been conducting daily flights over Iraq, and carrying out air strikes against vehicles and weapons positions to assist Kurdish ground forces. | The aircraft have been conducting daily flights over Iraq, and carrying out air strikes against vehicles and weapons positions to assist Kurdish ground forces. |
The UK is among the nations that have joined forces to tackle the militant group, which has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria. | The UK is among the nations that have joined forces to tackle the militant group, which has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria. |
IS has declared a so-called caliphate in the areas it has taken. | IS has declared a so-called caliphate in the areas it has taken. |