Pirates demand $7m dollar ransom for Brits

Fri Oct 30 2009 21:36:27

The Somali pirates who kidnapped Britons Paul and Rachel Chandler have demanded a $7m (£4.3m) ransom.

In a phone call translated by the BBC, one of the pirates said: "If they do not harm us, we will not harm them - we only need a little amount of $7 million dollars."

Mr Chandler, 59, and his 55-year-old wife, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, were captured in the early hours of Friday 23 October, when armed men boarded their yacht.

A Foreign Office spokesman said of the ransom demand: "We are aware of that report. The Government isn't going to make any substantive concessions to hostage-takers, and that includes the payment of ransom."

The caller reportedly said: "They have been captured by our brothers, who patrol the coast. We have been informed about their presence in the area, where bandits operate." He claimed the amount would cover damage caused by Nato.

Earlier, a tearful Rachel Chandler had urged her family not to worry about her in a phone call to ITV News, telling brother Stephen Collett she was "bearing up" and added: "Please do not worry about us. We are managing."

Mrs Chandler broke down during the call despite repeatedly reassuring her brother that she was being well cared for.

She said: "I'm bearing up. Thank you for everything you are doing. We are safe."

It is believed the pair are back at sea after spending a night on land, in a village on Somalia's coast.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.