This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tees/7130673.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Canoeist sons 'victims of scam' Canoeist sons 'victims of scam'
(40 minutes later)
The sons of "missing" canoeist John Darwin say they feel like they have been "the victims of a large scam".The sons of "missing" canoeist John Darwin say they feel like they have been "the victims of a large scam".
In a statement, Anthony and Mark Darwin asked how their mother Anne could have let them believe their father was dead for five years.In a statement, Anthony and Mark Darwin asked how their mother Anne could have let them believe their father was dead for five years.
Mr Darwin reappeared after disappearing in 2002 off the coast of Hartlepool in an apparent canoeing tragedy.Mr Darwin reappeared after disappearing in 2002 off the coast of Hartlepool in an apparent canoeing tragedy.
He was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of fraud after walking into a London police station at the weekend.He was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of fraud after walking into a London police station at the weekend.
'Very much alive''Very much alive'
Anne Darwin, 54, has admitted to newspapers that a photo of her and her husband taken last year in Panama in genuine. Anne Darwin, 54, has admitted to newspapers that a photo of her and her husband taken last year in Panama is genuine.
Mrs Darwin, 57, sold the family home on Teesside and moved to Panama six weeks ago. Mrs Darwin sold the family home on Teesside and moved to Panama six weeks ago.
There has been no independent verification of the Mirror's photoThere has been no independent verification of the Mirror's photo
In the statement, released through Cleveland Police, the couple's sons said they had been through a "rollercoaster of emotion" since their father's reappearance.In the statement, released through Cleveland Police, the couple's sons said they had been through a "rollercoaster of emotion" since their father's reappearance.
They said: "Having seen the recent media speculation surrounding our parents ever since our dad was arrested, we are very much in an angry and confused state of mind.They said: "Having seen the recent media speculation surrounding our parents ever since our dad was arrested, we are very much in an angry and confused state of mind.
"In the short space of time following our dad's appearance in London on Saturday, we have gone through a rollercoaster of emotion."In the short space of time following our dad's appearance in London on Saturday, we have gone through a rollercoaster of emotion.
"From the height of elation at finding him to be alive to the depths of despair at the recent stories of fraud and these latest pictures. And the shock of being thrust into the media spotlight."From the height of elation at finding him to be alive to the depths of despair at the recent stories of fraud and these latest pictures. And the shock of being thrust into the media spotlight.
"If the papers' allegations of a confession from our mam are true then we very much feel that we have been the victims in a large scam."If the papers' allegations of a confession from our mam are true then we very much feel that we have been the victims in a large scam.
"How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?""How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?"
Support inquiry
Mr and Mrs Darwin's sons said that they had not spoken to either of their parents since their father's arrest.Mr and Mrs Darwin's sons said that they had not spoken to either of their parents since their father's arrest.
"At this present time we want no further contact with them," they said. Declared dead
"Cleveland Police have asked for anyone with knowledge of our dad's whereabouts over the last five years to come forward and we support this wholeheartedly. Cleveland Police said detectives had been given the go-ahead to interview Mr Darwin.
"We too want to know where he has been and what he has been doing. A police spokeswoman said: "John Darwin has been medically examined and has been declared fit for interview."
"We have been in constant contact with the police and will be helping them with their inquiries in any way we can. The spokeswoman said that officers had until just before midnight on Thursday to question him, after which time a superintendent's extension could be granted for a further 12 hours.
"We hope that the public can appreciate our shock and frustration at this distressing time and again plea with the media to respect our privacy and allow us to deal with this in the best way we can." Mrs Darwin told newspapers that her life had become a "nightmare" and confirmed the picture did show her husband, who was officially declared dead in 2003.
Mr Darwin has been declared medically fit by detectives on Teesside and is facing questioning later. She told the Daily Mirror, which originally published the image: "Yes, that's him. My sons will never forgive me.
Police have until the end of the Thursday to interview Mr Darwin, after which an extension will have to be sought from a superintendent. "They knew nothing. They thought John was dead. Now they are going to hate me."
Mr Darwin, 57, was arrested on suspicion of fraud at his son Anthony's home early on Wednesday morning. He is currently at Kirkleatham Police Station.
Earlier Cleveland Police issued a worldwide appeal for information about Mr Darwin.