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

Photojournalist has longer hair and appears much thinner than in previous footage as he discusses the bombing of Mosul University

Mal Siret
Wednesday 13 July 2016 13:03 BST
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John Cantlie appears thinner in the latest Islamic State propaganda video
John Cantlie appears thinner in the latest Islamic State propaganda video

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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 Cantlie 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

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