A British newspaper says it has received a videotaped statement from a Shia militia claiming that one of five Britons they captured in Baghdad last year has committed suicide.

The Sunday Times of London published the videotaped statement - which it said it received through an intermediary in Baghdad last week - claiming the hostage took his own life on May 25.

The videotape opens with a picture of a man at the top left-hand corner of the screen along with a written statement in Arabic on a white background.

"This procrastination and foot-dragging and lack of seriousness on the part of the British government has prolonged their psychological deterioration, pushing one of them, Jason, to commit suicide on 25/5/2008,” the statement says, according to the Times. “He surprised our brethren, who were taking care of him, with his suicide."

British officials say they have not been able to confirm the death of the hostage.

Following the written statement, another hostage, whom the Sunday Times identified as Alan, appears on the video to appeal for the their release.

"Despite my good treatment over the last year, physically I’m not doing well," the hostage says. "Psychologically, I'm doing a lot worse. I want to see my family again.

“I would like for the British government to please hurry. I’m appealing to you to please hurry and try and get this resolved as soon as possible.”

The militia has demanded that that all British forces be withdrawn from Iraq and that Iraqis held by U.S.-led forces be freed.

Five men - information technology consultant Peter Moore and four guards - were kidnapped from the Iraqi Finance Ministry compound in Baghdad in a raid in May 29, 2007.

Two of the guards are called Jason and the others are named Alan and Alec. Their surnames have been withheld at the request of their families.

With files from the Associated Press

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