Funnily enough, I wouldn't say “and at this present time we want no further contact with them” in that situation because I would absolutely want to know what's going on. From the horse's mouth. People are so different, aren't they ?

Bob, Brussels,

I see there are reports that both these sons suddenly and very mysteriously gave up their jobs just before their father reappeared ... hmmm ... this story gets more curious and convoluted by the minute.

K Philips, London, UK

We don't know when Anne Darwin discovered the truth. It's possible she knew about this scam from the start or that she only discovered it after she had claimed the insurance "in good faith", as she said. If, as her sons are claiming, she failed to mention her discovery, they have every right to feel betrayed. It is, however, becoming increasingly difficult to take anything in this bizarre story at face value. It is possible that the sons are merely trying to distance themselves from this sordid tale, in spite of their guilty knowledge.

Scarlett, Fetcham, Surrey

what a story this has turned out to been.
if this does turn out to be a case of fraud then you really gotta give them 10 out of 10 for trying.

Paul, Chesterfield, UK / Derbyshire

John Cartlidge obviously knows nothing about the calibre and working lifestyle of the majority of teachers, from his sweeping and unjustified statement about teachers. 9-3 job Jon? Try the profession yourself before making such malicious and pathetically stereotypical accusations.

r.l.long, leamington spa, warwickshire

Who knows how this will all unravel yet? After all, did the mother not also just give her sons a large sum of money also?? It is too hard to say at this time how they were going to complete their scam, they may have sent for their children after settling down in Panama so they all could live the life of luxury there. It all still boils down to greeeeeed. I feel not at all sorry for the parents, and at this time questionably sorry for the children.

Chris Wishart, Courtenay BC, Canada

Perhaps it was a case of Alien Abduction !!!! Close Encounters of the Scam Kind !

A. Lien, Chelsea, USA

Survival-of-the-flit-est?

Phillipe T. Lucre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA

John Cartlidge, lol!

Robbie, Middlesex,

He said "that's the last time I go on holiday with the McCanns"

Percival, Liverpool, UK

Their poor sons. I cannot even contemplate how they must be feeling. What an ulimate betrayal from those who they should feel closest to

Louise, Leeds,

Bloody brilliant-after a long year of terrorist fear and suspician at last we have an article we can smile about--long live Reggie Perrin-all power to yer arm mate !!!

nick, Llangwm, Wales

We know that a lot of lies have been told up to now so I would sugest we reserve judgement about his sons until they have been questioned by the police! Why did he go to the police? Perhaps his wife decided to keep all the ill gotten gains and he could only claim his half by returning from the dead.

rik, london, uk

It has been widely reported that John Darwin was a former teacher, bank employee and prison officer. Given the typical calibre of such individuals, it is not at all surprising that the deceit has come unravelled in the way it has. The marvel is that it wasn’t brought to light sooner, given that the banks are in crisis, prisons are full of smuggled in drugs and most teachers think 13 weeks a year holiday isn’t enough. Perhaps he was just making the case for working one year in five (39 weeks a year, no Saturdays and hours 9 to 3 of course.)

John Cartlidge, Neston , UK

And I thought Times readers were supposed to be intelligent...

Mr Dithers (real name?) - the sons are devestated because it would seem that their mother has known for over a year that their father is alive, yet neglected to mention it to them. You wouldn't be slightly peeved?

Rory - The net has been tightening around him for several months and this paper thin, Enid Byton-esque 'alibi' is the best he can come up with. Honestly officer, I can't remeber a thing.

Phil, Nottingham,

I dont think the sons are shallow at all. Only God knows what they've been through when their dad disappeared - imagine all the emotions and everything they had been through for the last 5 years and 5 years later they find out that their father is alive. does that mean everything they'd been through have gone to waste; was everything for nothing? I dont think so. Thats what I would do in their situation. Of course they poor guys deserve some answers from their father but most importantly from their mother.

Kyp, Chester, UK

"The sons are shallow and weak because they only care about being 'fooled' not about their Dad at all. The dad is back - he's an idiot but he isnt dead, so be happy."

Walter, their father cared so little about them that he didn't mind them thinking he was dead for five years. To be slightly hurt is not being "shallow and weak".

Mick, London,

Selective amnesia pills ought to be on prescription. What a joy to have missed the last years of this Labour Government.

Will, Lincoln, UK

Gives a new meaning to the term "Darwin Award"!

Craig, Toronto, Canada

Walter Dithers: The sons are shallow and weak because they only care about being 'fooled' not about their Dad at all.

I think you'll find that it is not so much that they were fooled, more that their mother allowed them to think their father was dead when he was not. If you knew your mother would keep something from you like that, would you ever believe anything she said to you again. And if you cannot believe your own mother, who can you trust?

Martin, York,

The stupidest Reggie Perrin ever to have lived.

Alicia, London,

Yes, erm err
err
Sorry, my minds gone blank....

Mike Jones, Farnborough, Hampshire

Speaking of shallow, how can anyone think that the kids should forgive him and just be glad he's alive. If its true, the father threw away his children for money, would you forgive your father?
AZ, usa

B, sedona, usa

Its amusing that people can be so shallow. The sons are shallow and weak because they only care about being 'fooled' not about their Dad at all. The dad is back - he's an idiot but he isnt dead, so be happy.

The parents are foolish and shallow because they think that money will make everything good and they dont care about their family.
We might wonder what else they would do if they thought there was enough money to be had......

Walter Dithers, vancouver, canada

If this is a scam, why on earth did the guy turn up at the police station at all?

Rory, Dublin,

could Mrs Darwin bring me back a Panama hat and give it to me before she gets locked up for 10 years?

peter henley, washington dc, usa