Parents grieve for murdered hostage

Christopher Howes: missing in Cambodia for two years

The father of a British mine clearance expert missing in Cambodia for more than two years has spoken of his "shock and horror" at the news of his death.

Christopher Howes was murdered shortly after his kidnap by Khmer Rouge guerrillas, the Foreign Office said. A team of Scotland Yard detectives investigating his fate found "firm evidence" of his death.

A former member of the Royal Engineers, Mr Howes was taken hostage whilst clearing land mines in the jungle of northern Cambodia for British-based charity the Mines Advisory Group. His Cambodian interpreter was also taken.

Shocked and saddened

The grim news was broken to the 36-year-old former soldier's parents Roy and Betty Howes by the Foreign Office's head of counter-terrorism Vincent Fean.

A tearful Mr Howes spoke of his "shock and horror" at the murder of his son, who at one stage had refused an offer of freedom because his interpreter Houn Hourth was not also being released.

Howes: "Worked selflessly in Cambodia"

Mr Howes said: "It was news we hoped would never happen. We had hoped that he would come out.

"We are enormously shocked and saddened, but we are very proud of our son and his remarkable bravery and honour in not leaving his people."

Christopher Howes was working for the charity at the village of Preah Ko, near the temples of Angkor Wat, when he was kidnapped by the Khmer Rouge in March 1996.

Despite many rumours, which on one occasion prompted the MAG to pay a £75,000 ransom, there was never any reliable evidence about his fate and his family had continued to hope that he might be alive.

The Howes were alone at their home near Bristol when they received the grim news.

Mr Howes said that he had telephoned his daughter, Pat, a local government officer in Yorkshire

"I was very upset and so was she," he said. "We are trying to be normal but it is not a normal situation. We have got to be brave for our son."

Total despair

He understood that the Scotland Yard officers, who had been involved in intensive inquiries in northern Cambodia since April, now had witnesses that Christopher was murdered three days after he was taken.

Mr Howes stressed that he had not been given any detailed information but was expecting the police to contact him later.

"It was absolute shock and horror and we are in total despair. We are trying to come to terms with it, but it is not easy.

"What has happened, has happened. Christopher did marvellous work. He was a brave man and in his short life he probably achieved more than most of us will achieve."

Foreign Office minister Baroness Symons said: "We have been in close touch with Christopher's family throughout their long ordeal.

"Together we have feared the worst for some time. Today's news is most distressing.

"Christopher Howes was working selflessly in Cambodia to save lives by clearing mines when he was taken. The example he set was a shining one to us all."