Row erupts over Australian claims of hostage handling

As Prime Minister John Howard said hopes were growing that the claim was a hoax, the opposition Labor Party accused the government of exploiting the crisis for political gain.

Labor leader Mark Latham was furious the government ordered a hostage rescue team to Iraq late Monday in case the claim proved true, but did not consult him in line with the normal "caretaker" government convention adhered to during an election campaign.