AN Iraqi Kurd is threatening to kill himself unless the British Government puts him on a plane for Iraq - or provides him travel documents to leave Britain on his own.

Dhafer Raheem Jasim is desperate to return to Iraq. He has been trying to get back since the fighting ended, and does not know whether his wife and two children are alive.

The British Government is working with the International Organisation of Migration to fly Iraqis who want to go back.

Mr Jasim who got a smuggler to help him cross the border into Iran and then into Turkey on his way out of Iraq, stowed away in the back of a lorry bound for Britain two years ago.

He has been living in Middlesbrough ever since.

Yesterday, he walked into the offices of the North of England Refugee Service in the town and told staff of his intention to kill himself, if he was not allowed to leave Britain within the next few hours.

Pete Widlinski, area manager for the service, said: "He is very agitated and upset. When people are in that situation you do not know what they are likely to do. I am hoping he will hang on until something can be arranged for him to return."