'Straw is a kidnapper' says Pinochet
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Your support makes all the difference.GENERAL AUGUSTO Pinochet sparked fresh controversy yesterday after he allegedly accused the Government of plotting to kidnap him and hold him illegally in Britain.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, conducted through an associate, the General said he was the victim of treason after having been invited to Britain by the Government. He said Prime Minister Tony Blair was untrustworthy.
Last night there was confusion over the interview after an adviser to the General said he had not made such comments. The newspaper said it stood by its story.
In the interview, conducted through the former Chilean finance minister Sergio De Castro, Mr Pinochet said: "I am the victim of a treason. I was invited to Britain by the Government and I was officially received by the British Government.
"Now I know all the time they were plotting behind my back to arrest me in an illegal action under international law. They have kidnapped me and are now holding me illegally against my will."
He added: "The men behind this are no more than criminals. Jack Straw is no more than a kidnapper in that sense. And how can Tony Blair ever be trusted? He is untrustworthy."
Mr Pinochet, fighting extradition to Spain where he is accused of genocide, said he had lost faith in the British justice system. He also complained of the conditions he is living under while on bail.
Later, in a statement, Patrick Robertson, adviser to Mr Pinochet, said: "The sentiments expressed by Sergio De Castro are his own, and Senator Pinochet has no comment now or in the near future about the circumstances surrounding his detention."
Colin Myler, editor of the Sunday Mirror said: "I am astonished. There is absolutely no doubt that Sergio De Castro spoke to Senator Pinochet on behalf of the Sunday Mirror."
Last week Mr Pinochet appeared before Belmarsh magistrates in south London as extradition proceedings began. Mr Pinochet, 83, said he did not recognise the court's authority.
It was also claimed yesterday that British officials in Madrid had warned Mr Pinochet not to visit Britain because he might be arrested. Mr Pinochet was arrested last October after arriving for a back operation. Before he was arrested he took tea with his old ally, Baroness Thatcher.
Last night a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are quite clear that no such warning was passed to the Chilean embassy in Madrid. The embassy has no knowledge of any embassy official confirming that any such warning was given."
Tomorrow lawyers acting for Mr Pinochet will appeal to the House of Lords against the decision made by the five Law Lords that the General was not immune from extradition.
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