Paul Bigley, brother of Kenneth Bigley who is being held hostage by militants in Iraq, called on British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday to step up efforts to win the release of the hostage while criticizing Blair as a weak politician.

"Tony Blair is a gentleman and a statesman...but I am afraid his sell-by date has gone and he has to go. There has to be a change of face, a change of policy, a change of dialogue," Paul said in an interview with the BBC.

"He has not got the credibility to negotiate the purchase of a bicycle," said Paul, who has repeatedly criticized Blair and the British government for not doing enough to try and free Bigley.

Claiming that silence from Blair would be "the kiss of death" for the hostage, Paul also told the BBC that he was not suggesting negotiations with the captors, but better communications.

"Of course, you should never negotiate with the terrorists...I have never, ever, in all my communications suggested that anybody, in particular a governmental person, negotiate with these people. What I am asking for is communication," said Paul, who said he has new information his brother is still alive in Iraq.

Blair said Sunday that his government would do whatever it could to win the release of Bigley, but he also warned against "raising false hopes" for Bigley's release.

Bigley, together with Americans Eugene Armstrong and Jack Hensley, was kidnapped on Sept. 16 by gunmen claiming to be from the Tawhid and Jihad group, headed by al Qaida suspect Abu Musab al Zarqawi.

A website believed to be linked to the group has said two American hostages were beheaded and Bigley would also be killed unless the United States releases all women held in Iraqi jails.