James Wardell, from Sutton Coldfield, is risking his life

James Wardell, from Sutton Coldfield, is risking his life in the strife-torn nation as the conflict between dictator Colonel Gaddafi and rebel forces threatens to spill over into all-out civil war.

The former Bishop Veseys Grammar School pupil spoke to the Birmingham Mail with the sounds of bullets and explosions echoing in the background as Gaddafi renewed his onslaught on the rebel-held town of Ras Lanuf.


James said he was sleeping in a courthouse in the Italian quarter of the second city Benghazi when SAS troops and MI6 officers were brought in for interrogation after their mission was intercepted by the rebels.

“I saw them being taken into the courthouse next to where I was sleeping,” he said.

“They were heavily guarded before being spirited away in the night to the port where they were taken on board a Royal Navy ship to sail to Malta.

“It was very cloak and dagger and rebel leaders were furious at what they saw as an infiltration by an outside power.”

The photographer, aged 31, said the rebels had put up posters warning Britain and the USA to stay out of the conflict.

“They do not want us to interfere because they are scared it could become another Iraq-type situation,” he said. “It is their battle and they want to sort it out. It is very dangerous for the media here.

“While there are some people who have welcomed us with generosity and kindness, several camera crews have been attacked. You are not sure what side people are on and it is very dangerous in places.”

Freelance photographer James, who is now based in Barcelona, has been in Libya for two weeks but has also worked in other troublespots including Afghanistan and Haiti.

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