Freed hostage Kember tells of ordeal

FREED British peace activist Norman Kember yesterday spoke about his ordeal for the first time.

He said four months of his life had been “stolen”, but the 74-year-old insisted there was “no point in regretting” his decision to go to Iraq and try to help its people.

In an interview with the Baptist Times newspaper, the Christian described the swings in treatment that he and his three fellow hostages experienced.

“One night our captors took us downstairs, sat us in front of the TV, and showed us the life of Jesus on DVD in Arabic. But these are the people who shot Tom Fox in the head. People are very complex.

“Also, I think they wanted to keep us happy, so that we wouldn’t try any desperate escape.”

Mr Kember said the experience of being confined had been “desperate”.

“Not going outside for four months - it’s having that time stolen. I’d want to remind your readers how precious life is, and how precious the sight of a green tree would be when you’re deprived of it.”

He told the newspaper that he was feeling “moderately fit and well”, and was in better condition than his wife had expected.

He paid a warm tribute to the SAS team who rescued him from Baghdad and to British government officials.

“I’m very grateful to them for rescuing me. And our diplomatic service was super. I am full of praise for them.”

He also thanked the Muslim community living near his home in Pinner, north-west London, for their support.

Mr Kember and two Canadian hostages, James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, were freed in a multinational military operation on March 23.

A fourth hostage, US citizen Tom Fox, 54, was murdered and his body found dumped near a Baghdad railway line, on March 9.

Mr Fox’s body had bullet wounds and there was evidence he had been beaten.

The four were seized on November 26, while working for the Canada-based international peace group Christian Peacemaker Teams.

A previously unknown group, the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, claimed responsibility.

On Sunday, Mr Kember attended the Sunday service at Harrow Baptist Church in London with his wife Pat.

“When you’re free, and you don’t go to church, what’s the point in being free?” he said.