Mystery of the kidnapped Brit millionaire and his glamorous young girlfriend

Cops quiz rescued partner after gangs ranch raid

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

THE girlfriend of British millionaire Colin Armstrong, 78, who has been kidnapped in Ecuador, has been questioned by detectives.

The UK intelligence services are said to be assisting in the hunt for Mr Armstrong, who was abducted by more than 15 armed gangsters.

He was taken from his ranch early on Saturday along with his partner, Katherine Paola Santos.

She is believed to have been rescued in a secret operation and quizzed after her release.

Video footage of Mr Armstrong has emerged which appears to show him partying with Ms Santos and her friends on a boat.

He is seen accompanying her on several occasions, including for her 30th birthday party, while in fancy dress as a pilot.

Cesar Zapata, who was appointed as general commander of the National Police force earlier this year by former President Guillermo Lasso, has reportedly taken personal charge of the probe along with a specialist anti-kidnap and extortion unit called UNASE.

Immediately after the kidnapping, the force said: "Following an apparent criminal act against a businessman in the early hours of this morning in Los Rios, specialist police units are carrying out operative and investigative work on the ground."

No update has been given since.

Ecuadorian lawyer and former MP Ricardo Vanegas has said in a tweet: "It's become known Katherine Paola Santos was born in the Colombian city of Barranquilla and began having surgery to look more feminine and her birth name is Alberto Santos.

"It appears she is now being investigated by prosecutors and police in Ecuador over the kidnap."

Yesterday, he could not be reached to elaborate on his claims. His son, also called Ricardo, told reporters he was busy teaching at a local university.