Father of Islamic State hostage John Cantlie dies

The father of British IS hostage John Cantlie has died just days after making an emotional plea for his son to be released.

Paul Cantlie, 80, passed away from "complications following pneumonia", a statement released by his family said.

Mr Cantlie's health is said to have deteriorated since the kidnap of his youngest son in 2012.

Earlier this month he recorded an impassioned video message from his hospital bed calling on Islamic militants to give John up.

In a statement, Mr Cantlie's family said they had made "urgent" attempts to contact John to inform him, since the death last Thursday, October 16.

They added: "Paul died not knowing whether John's captors had received any of the messages he had sent to them.

"The failure of communication to date has inevitably led to a terrible sense of abandonment, particularly for John's father, with the family feeling ignored.

"This burden has been especially hard these last few days, as we have so needed to tell John that his father, whom he so loved, has died.

"Paul Cantlie will be remembered by many for his fortitude, quiet courage, wry humour and keen intelligence, as well as for his great gentleness.

"As life became increasingly hard, these qualities shone ever more brightly and he leaves behind a steady beacon for (his children) Jessica, Toby, John Henry and the wider family to steer by as they struggle with the realities they all currently face."

War journalist John, who has worked for national titles including The Sunday Times and the Sunday Telegraph, has been captured by terror groups twice.

The first time he escaped but is currently being held by IS.

In recent weeks he has appeared in a spate of videos giving "lectures" criticising both the US and British governments over their strategies for dealing with terrorists.

It was this which sparked his father to record his poignant message determined his son should hear "how very proud" he was of him.

Mr Cantlie spoke of the comfort of seeing John in the IS video for the first time in two years but said it was "followed by the feeling of despair and helplessness".

The family will hold a private funeral for him on October 30.