Blair: Facing intervention demands

Kenneth Bigley, the British engineer kidnapped by Islamic militants in Iraq, has pleaded with the prime minister to take action to save his life.

The two Americans being held with the 62-year-old have already been beheaded and Bigley directly addressed Tony Blair saying in internet footage that he was the only person who could save him.

Bigley's appeal followed confusion on Wednesday when the Americans contradicted an Iraqi government assertion that it might release a woman prisoner, a demand of the militants.

Number 10 had insisted the Iraqi suggestion was a coincidence that did not amount to a change of policy in negotiating with hostage takers.

"That would be tantamount to dealing with terrorists," a spokesman said.

As well as the hostage's appeal Bigley's son broadcast a new message to the kidnappers calling on them to be merciful.

The prime minister has earlier telephoned the family as frantic behind the scenes efforts continued to try to get Bigley out alive.

The decapitated corpse of the second American hostage being held with Bigley, was recovered in Baghdad and handed to the US embassy.

The militants are demanding the release of female prisoners despite a Foreign Office spokesman telling Arabic television that Britain was not holding any women in Iraq.

The Americans hold two "high value" female members of the former regime and the Iraqi government has now backtracked on earlier suggestions it may release them.

US officials said that the women were "physically and legally" in American custody and there were no plans to release them imminently.

Tony Blair told the TUC recently that he intended to focus on domestic issues.

As he prepares for the Labour party conference the hostage crisis is making that task more and more difficult.