Iraq justice minister may offer partial concession to kidnappers

There was reportedly a glimmer of hope for the distraught family of British hostage Kenneth Bigley when Iraq’s justice minister pledged to release one of the two Iraqi women in custody - a partial concession to the kidnappers’ demands.

The extremist group holding 62-year-old Mr Bigley is believed to have beheaded Jack Hensley last night, following the savage murder of fellow American Eugene Armstrong on Monday.