British Teacher David Bolam Has Been Released After Being Held Hostage By Militants In Libya,

[Jomlett]

BBC News - Briton held hostage in Libya freed... http://bbc.in/10zeUC7

[jourdain2]

Phew One out........

[douglas9401]

Looks like even the minor crazies are distancing themselves from the wrath that is about to descend upon the bestial cult that is IS and it's kidnapping habit.

[Rebecca01]

At last some good news

[gness]

So happy to hear this and Douglas has hit the nail on the head...x

[Svejk]

Even IS release people when they've been paid, otherwise no-one would ever pay, would they?
Don't hear much from Libya nowadays. Another blinding success for British/Western foreign policy.

[ladybirder]

Hmmm, I'm very pleased to hear he's been freed but I have to question whether paying a ransom for a hostage is ever a good thing.

[trt]

## but I have to question whether paying a ransom for a hostage is ever a good thing. ##

I bet if it was one of your family you wouldn't careless!!!!

[ladybirder]

Don't bet trt, you'd lose. I am on record on another thread on AB as opposing the payment of ransoms. I have discussed it with my family and we all agree it's wrong, hard as it would be, to pay.

[whistonian]

If I had the money I would pay to release a loved one or indeed even a stranger,but alas I will never have the brass.

[agchristie]

Very good news and, as I suspected, a ransom had been paid. Britain, is remaining consistent by not paying them.

I wonder though, regarding the US and British captives held by ISIS, would they be released if ransoms were paid by countries who have participated or backed air strikes?

[ladybirder]

Do you think they would ask for a ransom if they had no intention of releasing the hostage ag? Don't think I am crediting them with any morals by asking this question, I'm not.

[agchristie]

@ ladybirder

It would be interesting if there was a policy change from either the US or Britain regarding the payment of ransoms. As things have moved on and aerial bombardments taking place from both countries, how would ISIS react?

I think we know the answer but what of the other G8 countries who signed up not to pay ransoms but have done so?

[douglas9401]

Cheers Jomlett. :-)

[ladybirder]

I guess the answer is No ag, they would still go ahead.

The last I heard about other countries paying ransoms after agreeing they wouldn't, was that an annoyed David Cameron was going to have a word. Not heard anymore since.

[agchristie]

Ladybirder, I think Cameron is peeing in the wind trying to convince other countries not to pay up.

[ladybirder]

I'm sure you're right. Maggie would have sorted them!