David Haines beheading: Latest updates as ISIS release footage showing execution of British hostage

British hostage David Haines has been beheaded by Islamic State militants.

The aid worker, 44, was captured by ISIS in Syria in March 2013.

The plight of the dad-of-two was revealed when he appeared at the end of a video showing the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff earlier this month.

ISIS had threatened to kill Mr Haines if world leaders do not bow to their demands.

Tonight, the extremists posted a new video lasting 2minutes and 30 seconds which appears to show the beheading of David Haines.

The Foreign Office said it is working to “urgently verify” the footage.

David Cameron rushed back to Downing Street and will chair an emergency meeting of COBRA on Sunday morning.

He condemned the murder of David Haines as “an act of pure evil”.

The White House has just released a statement condemning the murder of David Haines and promise to “degrade and destroy” the terrorist group now known as ISIL.

It reads: “The United States strongly condemns the barbaric murder of UK citizen David Haines by the terrorist group ISIL.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Haines and to the people of the United Kingdom.

“The United States stands shoulder to shoulder tonight with our close friend and ally in grief and resolve.

“We will work with the United Kingdom and a broad coalition of nations from the region and around the world to bring the perpetrators of this outrageous act to justice, and to degrade and destroy this threat to the people of our countries, the region and the world.”