PM speaks to Malaysian leader in hunt for missing Brit

The father of a man missing in Malaysia has said he is "impressed" by the efforts of the authorities there to find his son.

Speaking exclusively to ITV News, Gerry Huntley, father of 34-year-old Gareth Huntley, said he had no complaints about the search effort so far.

Read: PM speaks to Malaysian leader in hunt for missing Brit

Prime Minister David Cameron has spoken to his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak about the search for the Briton missing in the Malaysian jungle, Downing Street spokesperson said.

“The PM thanked Prime Minister Najib for the extensive efforts of the Malaysian authorities over the past few days and said that the UK was considering what more it could do to help if required," the spokesperson said.

Read: Mother of missing Briton arrives in Malaysia

The mother of Gareth Huntley, a Briton missing in the Malaysian jungle, told ITV News the search for her son has "intensified considerably in the last 24 hours".

Janet Southwell, who arrived in Malaysia today, said she was "very grateful" that the British and Malaysian governments were doing their best to ensure a "safe return for Gareth".

Watch: Missing Gareth Huntley's family 'remaining positive'

The mother of Gareth Huntley, who is missing in the Malaysian jungle, has arrived in the country as officials continue to search for her 34-year-old son.

Police in Pahang posted pictures of its search team on Facebook, writing that it has "intensified" efforts to find the backpacker, who is on a sabbatical from his job in the City.

Mr Thomas, who is originally from the Leeds-Bradford border, has not been seen since he went on a trek to visit a waterfall in Tioman Island, off the south-eastern coast of the country's mainland, last Tuesday morning.

More: Mother of missing Briton flies out to Malaysia

The brother of a man reported missing in the Malaysian jungle, has told Good Morning Britain the family are "remaining positive" about his chances of survival.

Mark Huntley described the family's initial fear when his brother Gareth went missing and frustration at the lack of involvement from the Malaysian authorities.

However, he remained upbeat about his older brother's chances after the search was stepped up. "The Malaysian Government have recently been fantastic...The search parties that have been there, from what we have been told, have been very efficient," he said.

The mother of a Briton missing in the Malaysian jungle is expected to arrive on the island where he was last seen a week ago, as international agencies continue the search for clues.

Mr Huntley's girlfriend Kit Natariga arrived on the island yesterday, while his mother, Janet Southwell, arrived in Singapore from England yesterday and is expected to head to the island today.

More: Hammond: 'Raised missing Briton search with Malaysia'

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond held discussions with his Malaysian counterpart earlier over the ongoing search on Tioman Island for missing Briton, Gareth Huntley. Mr Hammond sought re-assurances that the authorities have what they need for the search.

He spoke to his Malaysian Counterpart, Mr Hishammuddin, while attending the 13th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit, known as the “Shangri-La Dialogue”.

Whilst in Singapore, Mr Hammond also visited HMS Echo at the UK Naval installation at Sembawang. The ship is on her way back from deployment in the Southern Indian Ocean where it had been searching for the missing Malaysian airliner MH370.

• Read: Hammond discusses missing Brit with Malaysian counterpart

The family of a London man missing in the Malaysian jungle have thanked the Government for stepping up the search mission, after yesterday saying not enough was being done to find him.

London charity worker Gareth Huntley has not been seen since he went on a trek to visit a waterfall in Tioman Island, on Tuesday morning.

His brother Mark Huntley said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has promised to "escalate the issue quickly" and that the family were keeping positive as a result of efforts to find him:

"We want to personally thank David Cameron and Philip Hammond for their reassurances. It is a very big positive for us.

"We are, of course, very grateful to the Malaysian people and the authorities for their work too. Everyone has been fantastic.

"We are told that local people went out to look for Gareth as soon as he was first described as missing - so without them there would not be a search mission."What we need now is for that work to continue and to find my brother."

The Foreign Office have confirmed that the Malaysian government have deployed dogs, boats and a helicopter to look for missing Brit, Gareth Huntley, who went missing in the Malaysian jungle a week ago:

More: Hammond discusses missing Brit with Malaysian counterpart

"All available search assets" are being used to find a British man missing in the Malaysian jungle, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has been assured.

The Foreign Office said Mr Hammond, who has arrived in the country, was told Malaysian authorities would do everything possible to find 34-year-old Gareth Huntley.

An FCO spokesman said: "The Defence Secretary, who is in Malaysia, has spoken to the Malaysian Defence Minister this morning to confirm that all available search assets are used to find Gareth Huntley.

"The Government will continue to work with the Malaysian authorities to ensure there is a comprehensive search."

Read: Hammond discusses missing Brit with Malaysian counterpart