The circumstances surrounding Ian Squire’s death, three weeks after his kidnap, were not immediately clear.

It is understood that Squire and fellow Christian charity workers David and Shirley Donovan and Alanna Carson were working as missionaries when they were abducted from their accommodation in Delta State in the south of the country in the early hours of 13th October. 

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the families of four British people who were abducted on October 13 in Nigeria, one of whom was tragically killed.

“This has clearly been a traumatic time for all concerned, and our staff will continue to do all we can to support the families.

“We are grateful to the Nigerian authorities, and are unable to comment given the ongoing nature of their investigations.”

In a statement, the families of the four hostages said: “Alanna, Ian, David and Shirley were kidnapped in Nigeria some three weeks ago.

“We are grateful for the support received by the British High Commission and help from the Nigerian authorities in negotiating their release.

“We are delighted and relieved that Alanna, David and Shirley have returned home safely. Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of Ian as we come to terms with his sad death.

“This has been a traumatic time for our loved ones who were kidnapped and for their families and friends here in the UK. We would therefore ask that the media respect our privacy as we come to terms with the news. We…

A gunman opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas killing 26 people and injuring 20.

Police described the victims as “defenceless people”.

A short time after the incident, the suspect was found dead in his vehicle at the county border.

President Donald Trump, who was in Japan, called the shooting an “act of evil”, later calling the gunman “a very deranged individual”.

However he denied the need to address the gun laws saying mental health is a more important issue.

Bishop of Gloucester Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, who’s sitting in the House of Lords this week, is calling for a rethink.

“I do hope and pray it will help Americans review their gun laws,” she told Premier.

“I also hope that we will not become immune as we listen to these sorts of stories but we’ll know those are lives that have been lost that are precious, unique and valued.”

The findings come from “The State of Free Speech and Tolerance in America” survey by Washington DC based think tank the Cato Institute.

The poll also went a step further and asked what should happen to a religious baker who refuses to bake a special-order cake for a same-sex wedding.

Most Americans (66 per cent) said nothing should happen to the baker.

However, 20 per cent of people surveyed said they would support a boycott of the bakery and 22 per cent would agree with a government punishment including: issuing a fine, requiring an apology, issuing a warning, revoking their business license, or sending the baker to jail.

Another 6 per cent support suing the baker for damages.

However, the report showed a split in public opinions about serving LGBT people vs. servicing same-sex weddings.

Fifty per cent said businesses with religious views should provide services to homosexuals. However, only 32 per cent said a baker should be required to bake a special-order cake for a same-sex wedding.

The findings come after a Christian cake artist from Colorado refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex ceremony.

Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop lost a case in 2014 in Colorado Civil Court. His legal battle has been taken to the US Supreme Court.

Also, Ashers Bakery in Northern Ireland has taken its case to the UK Supreme Court after it was accused of breaching equality laws by refusing to make a cake which supported same-sex marriage.