THE government's position on "no negotiation" with terrorists remains unchanged despite the release of a video showing British engineer Ken Bigley shackled and caged, and again pleading for help.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said:"We have a policy which we adhere to that we don't negotiate with hostage takers."

However, Tony Blair said the government would respond immediately to any contact from the kidnappers holding the Merseyside engineer in Iraq.

Both were commenting after the release of a video showing Mr Bigley shackled and caged, and again pleading for help.