Dead British hostages named

The dead British hostages handed over to authorities in Iraq were identified today as Jason Creswell and Jason Swindlehurst.

The remains of Mr Creswell, originally from Glasgow, and Mr Swindlehurst, originally from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, were handed over to authorities in Baghdad late on Friday. They were among five Britons taken captive in May 2007.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said they had informed the families “with deep regret”.

She added: “Our thoughts are with them at this sad time, and we ask that the media allow them privacy to deal with this news. We continue to do everything we can towards the safe release of the other hostages.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown tonight sent his condolences to the families of the dead men, calling on their killers to release the remaining three Britons "immediately''.

Family members who had been “clinging on to hope” after Foreign Secretary David Miliband said everyone involved in efforts to release the men had “failed” were informed of the forensic results this morning.

The five contractors were seized on May 29, 2007, by about 40 armed men wearing police uniforms at the Iraqi Finance Ministry.

The release of a leading Iraqi militant by US forces earlier this month had sparked fresh hopes that the kidnapped Britons could be freed.

The American military handed Shiite insurgent Laith al-Khazali over to the Iraqi authorities on June 6.

Al-Khazali is a senior member of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or the League of the Righteous, which has been linked to the kidnapping.