Somali kidnap couple's ‘saviour’ hailed at Heathrow

A former London minicab driver who claimed to have masterminded the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler received a hero's welcome as he arrived back in Britain.

Dahir Kadiye, 56, was cheered by about 70 members of the British Somali community and handed flowers at Heathrow last night.

The Somali-born British citizen claimed to have negotiated the couple's safe release from pirates who had held them for more than a year. He said he took on the job of hostage negotiator six months ago after his children told him they felt ashamed when they watched the couple's appeals on television.

Mr Kadiye, from Leytonstone, did not stop to comment on how he organised the Chandlers' freedom but said: "I'm very tired."

Mohammed Elmi, chairman of community group Somali Diaspora UK, said the crowd gathered to show how proud they were of Mr Kadiye. "We are delighted to be here to welcome our hero," he said. "He is a British hero as well. Dahir has done a tremendous job. I think he risked his life."

The Chandlers, from Tunbridge Wells, spent their second full day of freedom on UK soil after their 388-day ordeal being held by the Somali pirates.