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UK jihadist prisoner swap 'credible' UK jihadist prisoner swap 'credible'
(35 minutes later)
Reports that UK jihadists were involved in a prisoner swap between Islamic State (IS) and Turkey are "credible", Whitehall officials have told the BBC.Reports that UK jihadists were involved in a prisoner swap between Islamic State (IS) and Turkey are "credible", Whitehall officials have told the BBC.
The Times alleges that Shabazz Suleman, 18, and Hisham Folkard, 26, were among as many as 180 IS fighters traded for 49 Turkish hostages. The Times alleges that Shabazz Suleman, 18, and Hisham Folkard, 26, were among as many as 180 IS fighters traded for 46 Turkish hostages.
They were taken prisoner from the Turkish consulate in Mosul, Iraq, in June and released last month. The Turks were taken prisoner from their country's consulate in Mosul, Iraq, in June and released last month.
Officials confirmed Mr Suleman, from High Wycombe, disappeared in Turkey.Officials confirmed Mr Suleman, from High Wycombe, disappeared in Turkey.
The Foreign Office is providing consular assistance to his family but there has been no confirmation that he was one of the Turkish government-held prisoners.The Foreign Office is providing consular assistance to his family but there has been no confirmation that he was one of the Turkish government-held prisoners.
"We are aware that a British national was reporting missing in Turkey in 2014," a spokesman said.
The Times said it was passed a leaked list of those handed over to IS and the two Britons were among the names.The Times said it was passed a leaked list of those handed over to IS and the two Britons were among the names.
Along with the two Britons, the newspaper alleges the list also included three French citizens, two Swedes, two Macedonians, one Swiss and one Belgian. The newspaper alleges the list also includes three French citizens, two Swedes, two Macedonians, one Swiss and one Belgian.
It also suggests the prisoner agreement included IS fighters held in Turkish hospitals and prisons, as well as those in the hands of moderate Syrian rebels.
University place
Mr Suleman had been a student at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe.
In a statement dated 3 October, the school said it had been approached by the "relevant authorities" a few weeks ago and it had fully co-operated.
It said Mr Suleman had achieved a "solid set" of A-levels and had gained a place at university.
The school described him as "a very engaging and amiable student who fitted in well, forming good relationships with his peers and staff".
The statement also said Mr Suleman had travelled to Syria as part of an aid convoy for a Turkish charity last summer.
The release of the Turkish hostages hit the headlines at the end of September. There were 49 in total - 46 Turkish citizens and three Iraqis - and included the Turkish consul, diplomats, special forces police and children.
Little explanation was given for their release but Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey's MIT intelligence agency had led the operation.
At the time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not deny reports there had been a prison swap and stressed no ransom had been paid.