Bigley: Grief grips hometown

2004-10-08 22:17

Liverpool - A shocked city of Liverpool expressed its anger Friday after it was confirmed that Islamic extremists in Iraq had killed one of its native sons, Kenneth Bigley.

"They are cruel evil bastards to make that man suffer for nearly four weeks," said John Williams, 34, a builder. "I feel very, very sorry for the family after what they have put his mother through."

Local officials declared on Saturday a day of mourning, with two minutes' silence to be observed at mid-day and flags to be flown at half-staff.

"I hope the city will come to a standstill tomorrow to express its sympathy and solidarity with Ken's family at this time," said Lord Mayor Frank Roderick.

When news of Bigley's appalling fate came, Ken's mother Lil, 86, had only recently returned to home to the Walton area of Liverpool from hospital after collapsing under the stress following her son's kidnapping.

Bigley was abducted in Baghdad on September 16 along with Americans Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong who were subsequently killed.

Family and friends gathered at the red-brick Victorian terrace house to offer comfort and support as Bigley's brothers, Stan and Philip, confirmed his death in a statement on television.

"The hearts of the whole of Liverpool are with the family tonight," said Williams, who felt angry that Prime Minister Tony Blair had not done enough to save the hostage.

"I have backed Blair before, but not again," he said, hinting at the political fallout liable to emerge in the coming days. "If that was Blair's son, they would have done everything they could to get him out."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was rushing to the port city as the appalling brutality of the situation in Iraq hit home like never before with the news of Bigley's murder, the first of a British hostage by extremists in Iraq.

Only months from retirement

The 62-year-old engineer, only months away from retiring to set up home with his wife Sombat in Thailand, was a proud Liverpudlian and a staunch supporter of the city's Everton football team.

He had made his life overseas for years but many people in Liverpool have followed every agonising twist and turn of the Bigley hostage crisis until its grim conclusion on Friday.

"Our thoughts are with Ken Bigley's family in this dark hour," said Liverpool City Council leader Mike Storey.

"They have remained brave, strong and resolute throughout this ordeal, never losing hope," he said.

"There are no words to describe such a terrible loss, but all the people of the city will unite in offering our prayers and support for them at this difficult time."

Bells were to be rung later on Friday at Walton church at the end of the road from Bigley's family home.

Police blocked off Bedford Road where the Bigley family home was surrounded by TV camera crews, reporters and photographers.

Traffic was being diverted and TV camera crews were moved along the street so that they are not directly opposite the family home.

- AFP