Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Mal Siret

British hostage John Cantlie seen in Isis video for first time in four months

British photojournalist John Cantlie, who was captured by Isis in 2012 alongside American journalist James Foley, has appeared in a new video released by the terror group.

Mr Cantlie, who is widely thought to be speaking under duress in the videos in which he appears, was last seen on film in a propaganda video which emerged on 19 March this year in which he was shown mocking President Obama.

In the latest video, he has longer hair and appears much thinner than in previous footage as he discusses the bombing of Mosul University, attacking the UK media while standing alongside piles of rubble.

"You have to ask yourself: why did the coalition decide to destroy the university? Normal, social everyday life has been destroyed and if you are going to destroy a university, why bother?" he says. 

Mr Catlie also uses the film to criticise the British government's refusal to negotiate with terrorists and hostage-takers. 

The Foreign Office said it was aware of the video and was "analysing its contents".

Mr Cantlie's skills as a journalist have been exploited by Isis in an attempt to lend credibility to propaganda films, including a series titled Lend Me Your Ears

When he attacked President Obama, he addressed the camera as if presenting a television programme: "After 20 months and $5 billion, America has successfully destroyed an Islamic State media kiosk.

"If this is what Obama meant about degrading and ultimately destroying Isis, he's clearly got a long way to go yet."

Mr Cantlie's father Paul, 80, died from complications following pneumonia in 2014.

Additional reporting by Press Association

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.