PROFESSOR Norman Kember, the British anti-war activist kidnapped in Iraq, is a distinguished physicist who helped to develop radiotherapy cancer treatment to save thousands of lives. The 74-year-old pacifist and peace campaigner went to Iraq 10 days ago to investigate reports of human rights abuses and of Muslims being detained illegally.

British diplomats were last night working with Iraqi officials to trace those who abducted the father of two. He was taken captive with two Canadians and an American on Saturday as he left a mosque in Baghdad. He had been talking to local leaders about human rights abuses.

Prof Kember, born in London, graduated in physics before joining Professor Len Lamerton at the Institute of Cancer Research in the late 1950s. The institute became the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He went on to work at the Royal Free Hospital’s Department of Medical Physics and at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. His work largely focused on establishing what safe doses of radiotherapy could be given to cancer victims. His wife Patricia, 72, made no comment as she left their home yesterday in Pinner, northwest London.

A man, who declined to give his name, stood on the steps of the couple’s home and read a statement on behalf of the family. “Norman feels very strongly that the occupation in Iraq is a mistake. He has been a pacifist all his life, working in hospitals rather than doing national service at the age of 18.”

Chris Cole, director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, said: “He has consistently opposed war and violence. He has worked for peace and to educate in particular young people about the power of non-violence. All members and supporters of our organisation are praying for him and his wife, Pat.”

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said that he was working closely with his Iraqi counterpart to trace the abductors.

“This is a very, very difficult and very worrying situation for his family and Mr Kember,” he said. “We are working on the basis that it is indeed a kidnapping. But we have no further confirmation.”

Since the invasion of Iraq more than 200 foreigners and thousands of Iraqis have been abducted, most of them held by criminals seeking cash.

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