TWO fathers have been reunited with their families after fleeing from crisis-hit Libya.

But Martin Popiel, from Linthwaite, and Glyn Richards, from Cawthorne, say their safe return to Huddersfield has nothing to do with the help of the British Government.

In an exclusive Examiner interview, the pair – who were on a business trip to the country – told how they had to fight their way through the crowds at Tripoli airport.

They only managed to get into the airport and find a flight home with the help of a local businessman.

It follows widespread criticism of the British repatriation effort, with Foreign Secretary William Hague forced to apologise for delays in getting nationals out of the strife-torn country.

Glyn, whose teenage son James studies at Greenhead College, said: “It was absolute hell at the airport – complete chaos.

“We had to park outside the car park and there were hundreds of people outside, all trying to get in.

“Some of the guards came out with batons to try and push people back and there were fights breaking out as everyone was pushing forward.”

The pair, who work for Huddersfield engineering firm Sellers, said they were only let in through an airport side door because the Libyan businessman who was helping them knew the guard.

Although Martin, 39, and Glyn, 38, were relieved when they managed to get a flight to Vienna and a connection to Heathrow, they were upset that helpless families and children were still stuck outside unable to get home.

Martin said: “We would still be there now if it wasn’t for the Libyan businessman. We would be outside the airport with the other hundreds of people trying to get in.

“The businessman asked us why Britain hadn’t sent anyone to get us out when all the other countries had. Forty-eight hours doesn’t sound like a long time but it is when you’re out there.