Families appeal to Iraq kidnappers

The families of three Britons kidnapped in Iraq have made emotional pleas for their return after learning two may have died in captivity.

Security guards Alan McMenemy and Alec Maclachlan are now feared dead, after two other hostages were earlier shot and killed and their bodies returned to the UK.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the other hostage, Peter Moore, is thought to be alive and appealed for his release.

A news blackout requested by the kidnappers has meant many of the families have not spoken publicly before.

"I would ask the men that are holding the boys to please let them go now.

"Enough is enough, we've been to the two funerals of Jason Cresswell and Jason Swindlehurst and now we are informed - allegedly informed - that Alec and Alan are also no longer with us.

"I plead to the hostage-takers to send home the bodies of Alec and Alan so that their parents can have closure and move on and I appeal to them to please let Peter come back alive."

"After attending two funerals - Jason Swindlehurst and Jason Cresswell.

"And [after] the devastating news we heard earlier on this week, we plead to the hostage-takers to please release Peter and the bodies."

"You understand how frightened we are to hear these reports and how hard it is for us to consider what might have happened to Alan.

"We continue to hope and pray that these reports cannot be true.

"We are desperate to have Alan home to his family - please return him so that he can return to me and his children where he belongs."

"These reports are the worst possible news for us but we continue to hope that they cannot be true, but whatever Alec's condition, he no longer should remain in Iraq.

"We appeal to those holding him to please send him home to us.

"I speak to you as the mother of Alec's son, we are not the people holding your men but I do understand your feelings because you're going through the same pain that we are going through.

"If we had any influence over the release of your men, we would release them to you but we don't. Please send him home because as a family we can't cope with this any more."

"I support everything that Hailey has said.

"And I plead with the people that have got my son to send Alec home.

"And that we love him and miss him so much."

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