A BRITISH journalist has appeared in a video released by so-called Islamic State militants.

John Cantlie was captured two years ago while in Syria.

He is being beld by the same group which is also holding  and has threatened to murder British aid worker Alan Henning.

The Northern Echo has named Mr Cantlie, who worked for The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sunday Telegraph, because his identity has been revealed across social media and national newspaper sites.

In the video he is heard to say: "Over the next few programmes, I am going to show you the truth as the Western media tries to drag the public back to the abyss of another war with the Islamic State."

Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, he goes on: "Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking: 'He's only doing this because he's a prisoner he's got a gun at his head and he's being forced to do this,' right?

"Well, it's true. I am a prisoner, that I cannot deny. But seeing as I've been abandoned by my government and my fate now lies in the hands of the Islamic State I have nothing to lose.

"Over the next few programmes I'm going to show you the truth as the Western media tries to drag the public back to the abyss of another war with the Islamic State."

More to follow