Kidnapped Scot released

Colombia has a high incidence of kidnappings

A Scots oil worker kidnapped in 1999 in Colombia has been released by his captors.

Alistair Taylor was flown to the South American capital Bogota, where he was met by his brother Charlie, embassy officials, and representatives of his company.

It is believed that the 47-year-old, from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, was kidnapped by the armed group ELN while he was working for a US-based oil company.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said Mr Taylor was in "good spirits".

Mr Taylor's son Stephen said the family hoped to make a statement at some stage over the weekend.

He is undergoing medical checks to ensure he is fit to travel and we expect him to return to the UK within the next few days

Foreign Office spokeswoman

She said: "Mr Taylor was released in the early hours of this morning, our time, by his kidnappers, who handed him over to a representative of the company he works for at a location in the Aranca department in the east of Colombia.

"He was flown to Bogota where he was met by representatives from our embassy and his employers, as well as his brother. He is undergoing medical checks to ensure he is fit to travel and we expect him to return to the UK within the next few days."

Last September, Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam and Foreign Office Minister John Battle raised Mr Taylor's case on a visit to Colombia.

Alistair Taylor was filmed by a journalist in April

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he was delighted by the news of his release.

Mr Straw said: "I am delighted that Alistair is safe and well and looking forward to a reunion with his family and friends.

"This has been a terribly long ordeal for them all."

In April this year, Mr Taylor was interviewed by a freelance journalist who was granted access to see him at a secret location close to the Venezuelan Border.

Addressing the camera Mr Taylor said: "I am not going to let this beat me. I am not going to crack. It is set in my mind that I will walk out of here some day to freedom."

His wife, Marta Valencia, said at the time she was relieved to know her husband was still alive.

"It is wonderful to hear that he is alive and well. I only hope this means he will soon be free. It has been so hard not knowing what had happened to Alistair, not knowing whether he was alive or dead," she said.