The way that David Miliband has handled the the kidnap of Britons Paul and Rachel Chandler [kidnapped by pirates in the Indian Ocean] has been an absolute disgrace.

Gordon Brown should sack this incompetent minister.

Mr Miliband states that the Government does not negotiate with terrorists. Well, firstly, the kidnappers are not terrorists but pirates.

A terrorist is motivated by a political or religious ideology, but a pirate is motivated purely by financial gain. Somalia is a desperately poor country and many turn to piracy simply to survive.

It seems that a deal was brokered to release the captives, but Mr Miliband blocked it.

On the basis that this is a piracy case, the Government should act fast and reopen negotiations.

It is disgraceful that Mr Miliband is prepared to write off two British citizens’ lives to further his political career. He is a liability to the Labour Party and should go. By now the pirates are so fed up with waiting they may even accept a lesser amount.

We must act fast to save the Chandlers. If they are killed, the Foreign Secretary will have blood on his hands.

SUSAN THOMAS, Magdalen Road, Oxford