The news that Margaret Hassan, the Irish born aid worker in Iraq, appears to have been killed by her kidnappers dominates today's front pages.

Hassan, who had lived in Baghdad for 30 years and had joint British-Iraqi nationality, was abducted last month on her way to work at Care International, a charity where she was country director.

Al-Jazeera said that it had received a recording, which appeared to show a gunman shooting her, but had decided against broadcasting it.

The video was received five days ago and passed to the British government.

Tony Blair expressed his "abhorrence" at the apparent killing.

Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, said: "As a result of our analysis we have today had to inform Margaret Hassan's family that, sadly, we now believe that she has probably been murdered, although we cannot conclude this with complete certainty.

"I want to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to Margaret's family. They have been through a month of the most terrible uncertainty and torment.

"To kidnap and kill anyone is inexcusable. But it is repugnant to commit such a crime against a woman who has spent most of her life working for the good of the people of Iraq."