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John Cantlie: Latest Isis video shows British hostage claiming 'US failed to rescue hostages'

The video is the seventh in a series appearing to feature the photojournalist

Kashmira Gander
Friday 21 November 2014 15:38 EST
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A clip from a previous video of Cantlie in Kobani
A clip from a previous video of Cantlie in Kobani (AFP/Getty Images)

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Isis has released a new video featuring British hostage John Cantlie, in which he appears to claim that the US failed to rescue him and fellow hostages in July.

The video is the seventh in a series entitled ‘Lend Me Your Ears’, which follow a similar format and often feature the photojournalist wearing an orange jumpsuit and delivering an apparently scripted message.

In the nine-minute clip, Cantlie, 43, appears to say: "In this programme I will tell you about a failed raid to rescue us and how it feels to be left for dead by your own government."

Mr Cantlie then goes on to describe the operation as "incredibly complex, risky and expensive".

"The raid involved two dozen Delta Force commandos, several Black Hawk helicopters, gunships, Predator drones, F18 Hornet Jets and refuelling aircraft.

"It took weeks of rehearsals and must have cost tens of millions to perform - but we weren't there.

"The Islamic State [Isis], anticipating such a move, just put us into cars and moved us to another prison days beforehand," he claims.

"We were left to die. It's the worst feeling in the world being left behind like that," Mr Cantlie says. Britain and America are accused of taking military action rather than negotiating the release of hostages through options such as ransom payments.

Apparently referring to the beheadings of UK aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines and American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, Mr Cantlie adds: "Long ago I accepted that my fate will overwhelmingly likely be the same as my cellmates - and I'm angry about it."

Near the end of the footage, he adds: "I will continue to speak out against this military action ... for as long as the mujahideen allow me to live."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of a further video and are analysing its contents."

The latest video comes a month after the group released footage purporting to show him in the embattled Syrian city of Kobani.

Cantlie's family have repeatedly called on Isis to set his son free. Mr Cantlie's father Paul, 80, died from complications following pneumonia last month. Before his death, he sent a message to Isis appealing for his son's freedom. Since his father's death, Cantlie has spoken in three more videos.

Meanwhile his sister, Jessica Cantlie, has previously appealed for "direct contact" with the extremist militants holding him.

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