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Chandlers prepare for UK return after pirate ordeal Chandlers to come back 'very soon' after pirate ordeal
(about 4 hours later)
The British couple freed in Somalia 13 months after being kidnapped by pirates are preparing to fly home to the UK. Freed British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler have been told that his father died while they were being held hostage by Somali pirates.
Paul, 60, and Rachel Chandler, 56, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, enjoyed their first night of freedom at the British High Commission in Nairobi. The couple, whose yacht was boarded off the Seychelles in October 2009, say they will return home "very soon".
The couple, whose yacht was boarded off the Seychelles in October 2009, have spoken of their fear after being beaten when they refused to be separated. Paul, 60, and Rachel Chandler, 56, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, are at the British High Commission in Nairobi.
Their ordeal was reportedly ended by the payment of a ransom. They have asked for privacy as they "adjust to the situation" and "come to terms" with their loss.
In a statement, they said: "We thank you all for your concern and interest.
"We have just learned that Paul's father died in late July, and we obviously need to come to terms with that.
"We do not intend to give any press interviews or make any further statements until we have had time to adjust to the situation and we would appreciate it if you would give us and our families some space, and respect our privacy for the moment."
Endured beatings
News of their release emerged on Sunday, and they were initially taken to Adado, central Somalia, near the Ethiopian border.
Their 13-month ordeal was reportedly ended by the payment of a ransom.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the sum paid for their eventual release had been "the best part of $1m" (£620,000), although there has been no official confirmation of this.BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the sum paid for their eventual release had been "the best part of $1m" (£620,000), although there has been no official confirmation of this.
Foreign Secretary William Hague insisted the UK government had not been involved in paying ransoms to the kidnappers.Foreign Secretary William Hague insisted the UK government had not been involved in paying ransoms to the kidnappers.
He said: "We have used our contacts in the region to try to gain information and to influence the hostage-takers, but no British government is going to start paying ransoms for hostages."He said: "We have used our contacts in the region to try to gain information and to influence the hostage-takers, but no British government is going to start paying ransoms for hostages."
The Chandlers, who spent 13 months held hostage in harsh conditions and intense heat in rural Somalia, said they had been beaten when they refused to be separated during their time in captivity.The Chandlers, who spent 13 months held hostage in harsh conditions and intense heat in rural Somalia, said they had been beaten when they refused to be separated during their time in captivity.
"We were really distraught, we were very frightened at that point," Mrs Chandler said after arriving safely in Kenya."We were really distraught, we were very frightened at that point," Mrs Chandler said after arriving safely in Kenya.
Both Mr and Mrs Chandler, who are experienced sailors, said the worst time had been leaving their yacht in the first place.Both Mr and Mrs Chandler, who are experienced sailors, said the worst time had been leaving their yacht in the first place.
They had been sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania as part of a longer voyage.They had been sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania as part of a longer voyage.
"We had to abandon our home and boat... in the ocean," Mr Chandler said."We had to abandon our home and boat... in the ocean," Mr Chandler said.
The couple said they had only the vaguest idea of how the rescue had come about having had no communication since the middle of June with the outside world.The couple said they had only the vaguest idea of how the rescue had come about having had no communication since the middle of June with the outside world.
Mr Chandler said they had been driven across Somalia to Adado and were later transferred to Mogadishu and then on to Kenya. The couple have undergone medical checks in Nairobi.Mr Chandler said they had been driven across Somalia to Adado and were later transferred to Mogadishu and then on to Kenya. The couple have undergone medical checks in Nairobi.
Details of the release were not given by the Chandler family in the UK, who issued a statement saying: "The family believes it would be irresponsible to discuss any aspect of the release process as this could encourage others to capture private individuals and demand large ransom payments, something that we are sure none of us wants."Details of the release were not given by the Chandler family in the UK, who issued a statement saying: "The family believes it would be irresponsible to discuss any aspect of the release process as this could encourage others to capture private individuals and demand large ransom payments, something that we are sure none of us wants."
Earlier this year their captors threatened to kill the couple if their demands for $7m (£4.4m) were not met.Earlier this year their captors threatened to kill the couple if their demands for $7m (£4.4m) were not met.
A payment of about $430,000 (£267,000) was made to the pirates in June, but did not result in the release of the Chandlers.A payment of about $430,000 (£267,000) was made to the pirates in June, but did not result in the release of the Chandlers.
Media speculation was thought to have influenced the pirates, and so the family opted for a super-injunction banning media coverage of the kidnap.Media speculation was thought to have influenced the pirates, and so the family opted for a super-injunction banning media coverage of the kidnap.
Our correspondent said it was thought unlikely any of those responsible would be brought to justice in Somalia, a country without an effective government since 1991.Our correspondent said it was thought unlikely any of those responsible would be brought to justice in Somalia, a country without an effective government since 1991.
Former Church of England envoy Terry Waite, held captive in Lebanon for nearly five years before being released in 1991, advised the Chandlers to "just take time out" and tell their story to a "trained listener".
He said that "then you have a chance to manage it, rather than being managed by it".
He also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there would be various things they would have to come to terms with including the loss of their boat and the ransom.
"Will they feel obliged to somehow give the money back to those who have paid for their release?" he added.