Gordon Brown called for the immediate release of five British hostages held in Iraq on Sunday, after the release of a video containing unconfirmed claims that one of the men had committed suicide.

The incident overshadowed the UK prime minister’s weekend trip to Iraq and Israel, where the government was trying to project positive messages. Emphasising the improved security in Iraq, the prime minister will in a statement to MPs on Tuesday set out “building blocks” for the full withdrawal of British troops from the country, possibly as early as next year.