Cameron: Americans not to blame for hostage death

By politics.co.uk staff

The death of a British hostage in Afghanistan during a rescue attempt by US troops was not their fault, the prime minister has insisted.

Linda Norgrove was kidnapped on September 26th. She was killed when the hostage takers detonated the explosive vest they had stripped to her as American troops tried to secure her freedom.

"Decisions on operations to free hostages are always difficult, but where a British life is in such danger, and where we and our allies can act, I believe it is right to try," David Cameron said.

"I pay tribute to the courage and skill of all those involved in this effort, and join the foreign secretary in condemning hostage taking.

"My thoughts are with Linda's family, who will be devastated by this tragic news. She was doing valuable work for the Afghan people."

Foreign secretary William Hague authorised the operation after a tip off about her whereabouts was received.

"Responsibility for this tragic outcome rests squarely with the hostage takers," he said.

"From the moment they took her, her life was under grave threat. Given who held her, and the danger she was in, we judged that Linda's best chance lay in attempting to rescue her."

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