The BBC is today examining a video claiming to be from the kidnappers of the reporter Alan Johnston, which is said to contain images of his journalistic identity card.

If found to be genuine, the tape - claimed by an organisation calling itself the Jaysh al Islam (Army of Islam) group - would be the first public identification of the group that is holding the Gaza correspondent, and its demands.

The video, which is reported to have been posted on an Islamist website, was delivered to the Arab news station al-Jazeera in Gaza late last night and passed to the BBC so the corporation could check its authenticity.

In the tape, an unidentified man is reported to demand the release of terror suspects held by Britain, including the fundamentalist Muslim preacher Abu Qatada who is currently appealing against a deportation order sending him back to his native Jordan.

"We demand that Britain free our prisoners, particularly the honourable Sheikh Abu Qatada al Filistini," the speaker on the video says, according to reports. "We have not forgotten our prisoners in other infidel countries to whom we say: ’Free our prisoners or we will retaliate in the same manner without discriminating'."

Mr Johnston, 44, was seized at gunpoint on his way home in Gaza city on March 12. Previously, no group has admitted holding him, or made any demands.

The BBC reacted cautiously to the video's release this morning and said it was checking its authenticity. Misleading claims and demands have been made about the journalist's kidnap. Last month, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades falsely claimed it had executed him.

A BBC spokesman said: "We are aware of the tape released by the Army of Islam concerning our Gaza Correspondent Alan Johnston.

"We have no comment on the demands made of the British Government in the tape. We remain concerned for Alan's wellbeing and call for his immediate release."

A Foreign Office spokesman said that the video was bound to cause anguish to Mr Johnston's family, and it was looking into its authenticity as a "matter of urgency".

"We are aware that a video containing images of Alan Johnston has been released to the press today. A video such as this is very distressing to Alan family, friends and colleagues," the spokesman said.

"We are, of course, in constant contact with his family and the BBC. We are looking into this as a matter of urgency. In particular we are working extremely closely with the Palestinian Authority in order to establish the facts and to try and secure Alan's safe release."

Those who have appealed for the BBC correspondent to be freed include Tony Blair, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Louise Arbour, the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. Numerous rallies and vigils have also been held in his support.

Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has lived and worked in Gaza for the past three years.

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