Bigley family in fresh plea for mercy

THE family of Ken Bigley last night pleaded with his kidnappers to show the engineer mercy and release him.

They thanked the kidnappers for allowing them to see the 62-year-old alive after pictures showing him shackled and caged were broadcast.

The statement on behalf of the family read: “We, as a family, feel that the ultimate decision to release him rests with you, the people who are holding him.

“We once again ask you, please show mercy to my father and release him.”

The statement from Mr Bigley's son Craig and brother Philip said: “This afternoon, another video of my father was shown on television. We want to thank you for this opportunity to see him alive again.

“Please could you pass on once more our love and thoughts to him. His continued captivity is putting great strain on his mother, Lil, my grandmother.

“My dad, Ken Bigley, is an elderly man who is only a few weeks from retirement - and from becoming a grandfather for the first time.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Craig and Philip Bigley came to the Foreign Office this afternoon.

“They wanted to make a statement to the Arabic-speaking media, using our facilities, which we were happy to make available.”