Margaret Hassan's family devastated after murder video

The family of Margaret Hassan have spoken of their profound grief after a videotape emerged last night purporting to show the execution of the aid worker.

The sisters of the Dublin-born aid worker, Deirdre, Kathryn and Geraldine, issued their joint statement last night after broadcaster Al Jazeera revealed that it had been sent a videotape showing the execution of a blindfolded female hostage.

While there has been no official confirmation that the victim was indeed Mrs Hassan, the tape probably does record her execution, British intelligence experts believe.

The tape, which was sent to the Arab language news service last night, shows a masked man shooting a hostage in the head at close range. Al Jazeera has said that it will not broadcast the tape on the grounds of public decency.

Aid worker Margaret Hassan, 59, was kidnapped in Baghdad on October 19. Her captors released three videotapes which showed her pleading for her life.

In their joint statement, Margaret's sisters said their hearts had been broken; the death had created a gap "that will never be filled". They went on to describe her murder as an "atrocious act" that had no justification.

"Margaret was a friend of the Arab world, to people of all religions. Her love of the Arab people started in the 1960s when she worked in Palestinian camps, living with the poorest of the poor and supporting the refugees. For the past 30 years, Margaret worked tirelessly for the Iraqi people," the statement said.

"Margaret had only goodwill towards everyone. She had no prejudice against any creed. She dedicated her whole life to working for the poor and vulnerable, helping those who had no one else.

"Those who are guilty of this atrocious act, and those who support them, have no excuses. Nobody can justify this. Margaret was against sanctions and the war.

"To commit such a crime against anyone is unforgivable. But we cannot believe how anybody could do this to our kind, compassionate sister. The gap she leaves will never be filled."

Mrs Hassan's Iraqi husband, Tahseen, has appealed to her killers to return her body to him.

Care International, the aid agency for that employed Margaret, said it was "shocked and appalled" at the development. The relief organisation paid tribute to her "courage, tenacity and commitment", adding that its priority was now to support Tahseen Hassan and those most deeply affected by this tragedy.

"We want to express our deepest sympathy to Mrs Hassan's husband Tahseen, and to her family. Mrs Hassan was an extraordinary woman who dedicated her life to the poor and disadvantaged in Iraq, particularly the children. The whole of Care is in mourning."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.

He added: "To kidnap and kill anyone is inexcusable. But it is repugnant to commit such a crime against a woman who has spent most of her life working for the good of the people of Iraq."

(gmcg/sp)