Mother 'may have organised daughter's kidnap' claim military

The Filipino military say the kidnap of a six-year-old girl may have been organised by her mother.

Eiman April Grant was snatched from her home by four gunmen who are thought to be holding her for ransom.

They were initially thought to be Islamic separatist guerillas but suspicions have been raised that Eiman's mother, Mina, may have masterminded the kidnap to extort money from her British stepfather, Douglas Grant.

Sergeant Bong Ragasa, of the Philippines Armed Forces, confirmed they are investigating Mrs Grant's involvement.

"It has not been proven yet but it is a possibility, and we would not discount it," he said.

Colonel Saulito Aromin, chief of the 103rd Army brigade based on the island of Basilan, told the Philippines Daily Enquirer that neighbours thought Mrs Grant, 43, seemed unconcerned about her daughter's fate.

"She even went on a shopping spree yesterday," he said.

Mrs Grant said the kidnappers demanded 100,000 pesos (£1,300) and when she could not produce it they snatched Eiman and ordered her family to come up with the cash.

Mr Grant, a 50-year-old hospitality manager who met his wife while working in Kuwait, said his wife had suggested paying the ransom.

"Mina is talking about maybe we should have money ready to give to them, but if we give it to them, what do we do next?" he said.