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KEMBER: Before the kidnap.
KEMBER: Before the kidnap.

Kember: 'It's great to be free!'


23/ 3/2006

NORMAN Kember said today that it was "great to be free" after more than four months in captivity.

In his first public statement since his release, he said: "It's great to be free. I am looking forward to getting back to the UK."

Mr Kember was speaking via an official at the British Embassy in Baghdad as preparations began for his return home.

His family showed their happiness at the news in a series of comments and statements.

Mr Kember's brother Ian was overcome with emotion at the news of the release.

Speaking from his home in Taunton, Somerset, Ian Kember said: "It's fresh news to me, I haven't got my thoughts together yet.

"It's a wonderful thing, and it's obviously a great relief, but beyond that I haven't come to terms with it yet.

"This has been the news we have been waiting for for a long time."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London released a statement on behalf of Mr Kember's family.

It read: "We are very pleased that Norman and his friends are safe.

'Support'

"We are grateful for all the support we have had from so many people since Norman was taken hostage.

"We also thank everyone who has worked so hard for him to be set free. We request that our privacy be respected at this time."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he had spoken to Mr Kember's wife Pat, of Pinner, north west London, several times.

Asked how Mrs Kember had reacted when he told her of her husband's release, Mr Straw said: "I think she was still trying to digest the news.

"I have had a number of conversations with her and my staff have kept in very close touch with her. She has shown the most extraordinary fortitude throughout this."

He added that Mrs Kember has shown "the most wonderful Christian fortitude" and that he was "so pleased" she would be reunited with him.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(7)


Most recent 2 of 7 user comments

   What a thoughtless old fool. What about the young men & women who had to risk their lives to rescue him. Has he any thoughts on that? He should have been left to his own folly. Maybe his ego would have pulled him through though it appears to be big enough.
pommie, adelaide australia
25/03/2006 at 01:08

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   Lucky Norman Kember! What a pity Abdul Rahman, the Afghan Muslim who faces the death penalty for converting to Christianity, can't say the same thing. And why aren't Norman Kember and his ilk speaking out on his behalf? And where's Prince Charles, the self-styled 'Defender of All Faiths' when he's needed?
Sandra, Galway
24/03/2006 at 16:45

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