Church leader in appeal after death of Iraq hostage Jason Swindlehurst

Jun 25 2009 by Mark Johnson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A CLERIC has questioned whether more should be done for hostages in Iraq after the death of Skelmersdale dad Jason Swindlehurst.

Jason, 39, died in captivity after being kidnapped in Iraq, while working as a security guard for a Canadian security firm, protecting an IT consultant.

He leaves behind daughter Jaye, parents Marie and Russell, sister Lizzette and brother Clint.

Rev Barbara Banton at Skelmersdale Methodist Circuit, said: “Our thoughts are with families of the two dead hostages who died in Iraq.

“The fact that Jason was a Skelmersdale man highlights the question of hostage taking, and what should be done about it.

“There can never be justification in hostage taking, where victims are used as pawns in a political game.

“Little is known about these situations because of media blackout but we are assured what all that possibly could have been done was done.

“However that leaves us with the frustration of not knowing the extent of political involvement or of the trauma the victim suffered.

“Whether trade-offs should be made is a difficult question, many believe in that this would lead to an increase in cruel activity, releasing those intend in getting their own way whatever the cost, back into the community.

“But that is no consolation or these families where hope has been dashed.

“They need our continual support in our thoughts and prayers. We hope for the safe return of the other three and their eventual release.”