Hostage leaves siege building

A MAN who was held hostage at gunpoint during a 10-day siege at a London bedsit, left the building yesterday, police said.

The man was rushed from the scene in east London at about 3.30pm to hospital, but it is understood he was unharmed. It was not immediately clear whether the gunman had surrendered, or whether the hostage had escaped or been released.

Commander Bob Quick said: "At approximately 2.55 this afternoon a man who we believe to have been held against his will for more than 10 days at the Hackney siege was able to leave the immediate confines of the flat and was escorted to safety by armed police officers.