Father appeals to IS for hostage son’s release

Paul Cantlie spoke of his family’s “despair and helplessness” after seeing him on a video released on the internet.

Delivering his appeal in a video, he said: “To those holding John, please know that he is a good man. He sought only to help the Syrian people and I ask you from all that is sacred to help us to allow him to return safely to those he loves and those who love him.”

Speaking with the help of a voice aid from a hospital bed, Mr Cantlie said: “Speaking entirely for myself, this is not how I had imagined I would be passing my 81st year.

Proud

“I want John to know how very proud I am of him. I can think of no greater joy than seeing him again, released and allowed to return to those who love him.”

He said he and his family were trying to communicate with Islamic State to deliver an “important message regarding John”, adding that they were hoping it had been received, but had not had a response.

Referring to the moment he saw John in the video, Mr Cantlie said: “For the first time in almost two years, we saw John when he made a televised broadcast during which he told viewers that he was still a prisoner of the Islamic State and that maybe he will live and maybe he will die.

Despair

“As a family we experienced great relief seeing and hearing John and knowing that he is alive, but this was followed by the feeling of despair and helplessness.”

John Cantlie, who has worked for newspapers including the Sunday Times, was seized by IS in northern Syria, where he had been working as an independent photo journalist, “seeking out the true story of the suffering of the Syrian people and ensuring the world was made aware of their plight”, his father said.

IS militants are also holding British aid worker Alan Henning. The group has killed three other hostages, American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines.