Ben Baier, a 43-year-old financier from near Denver, Colorado, has spoken of his anguish after his ex-wife, tea heiress Nishika Samaratunga, failed to return their two young sons following a court-approved visit to the UK, sparking an international search. The 34-year-old, a British citizen and great-granddaughter of the founder of Sri Lankan conglomerate Mackwoods, was granted contact with the boys in London but did not bring them back on 29 March, and Mr Baier says he has since only seen his children in footage broadcast on Sri Lankan television.

Mr Baier had been given full custody of Blaine, five, and Nathaniel, three, in October last year after the couple's split, but says he does not know which country his sons are currently in, despite reports in July suggesting they may be hiding in the UK. Both boys are autistic, and his lawyers have raised concerns to the High Court that they may not be attending school or receiving medical care; a US judge has separately warned they could be in "imminent danger". The High Court has taken the unusual step of allowing the family's names and photographs to be published to help trace the children, while Mr Baier has begun High Court proceedings to secure their return.