A FORMER Special Envoy to The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken to staff at a Basingstoke firm about how he survived a long hostage ordeal.

Terry Waite – who was held hostage in Lebanon between 1987 and 1991 – met staff at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, based at Northern Cross, on Basing View, as part of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Week.

The week was held at BNP Paribas offices around the world, including those in London, New York, Brussels, Paris and Sydney.

The aim of the week was to underscore the importance of diversity and inclusion as a key element of BNP Paribas’ Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.

It also aimed to inspire and educate people through events and panel discussions, and speakers such as Mr Waite.

He proved to be a moving, and at times humorous, speaker as he talked about his harrowing ordeal in the Middle East – and around 80 people listened intently to his story.

It was 27 years ago, when negotiating the release of hostages, that he was captured in Beirut, where for almost five years, he was chained by his hands and feet to a wall and was blindfolded when anyone came into the room.

“They mistakenly thought I was a CIA agent,” explained Mr Waite who was left in total and complete solitary confinement.

“What I experienced, and what I am sure many other hostages discover as they go through the most terrible experiences, is a strength within themselves they never knew they had.”

Referring to current events, Mr Waite said many people would say that it is impossible to talk to people such as ISIS who are causing terror in Iraq and Syria.

However, Mr Waite feels dialogue, no matter how difficult it may seem, is the way forward.

He said: “Out of the most dreadful circumstances, it is possible for unexpected creativity to emerge.”

In talking about recent beheadings, Mr Waite touched on the death of Ken Bigley, who was beheaded in Iraq 10 years ago.

“I went to see his aged mother in Liverpool and sat by her side when she spoke of the death of her son,” recalled Mr Waite.

“She said ‘nothing can describe what I feel at this time. To lose a son in such a way is terrible.’ Then she said something remarkable. ‘But my suffering is little different from the suffering of a mother in Iraq who has lost her child as a result of warfare’.”

Delighted with the success of the week, Vinay Kapoor, UK head of diversity and inclusion at BNP Paribas, said: “In celebrating the different backgrounds and perspectives of our employees, we hoped to have engaged and inspired everyone to bring more of what makes them unique to the workplace.

“This, in turn, helps us promote and maintain an inclusive workplace for the benefit of our employees, the communities we operate in, and our clients alike.”