Kidnapped Briton 'killed'

Christopher Howes: Fate still not confirmed

An American-based magazine has reported that a British mine-clearing expert was killed shortly after being kidnapped by Khmer Rouge soldiers in March, 1996.

Christopher Howes and his interpreter were seized near the famous Angkor temples but to date, there has been no firm evidence of their fate.

Time magazine, quoting two senior Khmer Rouge officers, says Mr Howes, from Clevedon, near Bristol, was killed a week after his capture.

The report says he was shot in the back and his body burned on the orders of Pol Pot, the former Khmer Rouge leader.

Time magazine says he was killed near Anlong Veng, the Khmer Rouge's last stronghold, which the Cambodian Government now claims to have captured.

Mr Howe's father, Roy said he was sceptical about the claims made Yim Panna and Ke Pauk, the officers quoted in Time.

Mr Howe said the British ambassador has previously questioned them.

"Until I have absolute proof he is dead, he is alive and he has to be got out," said Mr Howe.

"If you don't have hope or faith it's a hard road - it's a hard road anyway."

The British Foreign Office said it cannot confirm or deny the report.

A spokesman said: "There have been a very large number of rumours surrounding Mr Howes but so far there is no conclusive evidence to show what has happened."