Brother of murdered aid worker calls for tolerance one year on from his death

Sunday marks a year since the family of David Haines, who was born in Holderness but grew up in Scotland, were told he had been executed in Syria by the terrorist group after being held prisoner for 18 months.

His elder brother Mike Haines, who has spent the last 12 months working with groups to combat extremist indoctrination of young people in the UK, wants people to come together in memory of his “hero” brother, saying anger and division would only further terrorists’ aims.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary on September 13, he said: “My brother didn’t see other nationalities or religions, he just saw human beings in need of a little help to get by or sometimes a lot of help to live to see another day.

“As the anniversary of his death arrives, I hope he is looking down and is proud of what we, the community of the UK, have achieved and will continue to achieve if we all stand together and remain united.”

Mr Haines was one of a string of hostages beheaded by IS, whose filmed executions involved the notorious Terrorist Jihadi John.

The former RAF engineer’s name was eventually made public when he appeared in the background of a video showing the execution of Steven Sotloff, an American journalist also seized by terrorists.

As well as speaking to charities, community groups and religious leaders in the UK, Mr Haines also joined Barbara Henning, whose husband Alan was also publicly killed by IS, in meeting Pope Francis.