Media blamed for hostages' plight

Baroness Chalker yesterday accused a 'circus of journalists' of preventing the release of a Briton and two other Western hostages held by the Khmer Rouge for the past four weeks, writes Annika Savill.

The overseas development minister was speaking after the Cambodian Prime Minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, ordered all journalists and diplomats out of southern Kampot province, where the three are being held. The Prince had criticised Britain, France and Australia for blocking a release by opposing both the payment of a ransom and the use of military action to free the men.