Mr Bond slept on a concrete floor

Derek Bond, 72, was arrested on FBI orders following an identity mix-up, in which they got the wrong man. He is now considering whether to take legal action against the FBI.

Just a couple of hours after regaining his freedom after nearly three weeks in a Durban police station cell, Derek Bond faced a news conference to talk about his ordeal.

Still fragile from his unsettling experience, he frequently broke down when emotions got the better of him.

Though I protested my innocence from the beginning, this seems to have had very little impact on the FBI Derek Bond How do you think Mr Bond should be compensated? Click here for your views

He began by expressing his relief at being free after what had seemed like an eternity.

He said: "Though I protested my innocence from the beginning, this seems to have had very little impact on the FBI and I was really getting very despondent.

"I have very little criticism of the South African police.

"They have been acting wholly under the instructions of the FBI, and I have been dealt with courteously."

His strongest criticism was reserved for the FBI, whom he said he thought would have taken "a more humane approach".

"There was very, very little action from the FBI. Nobody took a personal statement from me until I had done 10 days in the police cells.

Inhospitable conditions

"That was the first time they asked me who I was," he said.

There was no anger in his voice, but complete calm when he said: "There is every possibility that I will need to take advice from my lawyers, but there does seem to be a justified claim."

The police station in Durban where Mr Bond was held

Mr Bond, was forced to sleep on a concrete floor with a mat, without any special treatment.

Still retaining a sense of humour, despite his experience, he said: "There was a concrete seat that I think must have been adjusted for African-length legs and not mine because I consistently had cramps in my legs where I just couldn't ever get comfortable."

He found it impossible to adjust to an African diet and this, combined with his state of mind, meant he did not eat anything for the first three days.

Sanity

"Even when my wife was allowed to come in and bring me food there was just no way I could eat," he said.

He lived off a diet of 60% fruit and admitted: "I was quite pleased to lose weight, but not in this way."

DEREK BOND'S ORDEAL Feb 6: Arrested on arrival in South Africa Feb 10: Agreed to be extradited to US to clear his name Feb 14: US authorities discover Mr Bond is claiming mistaken identity Feb 25: US prosecutor tipped off about "real" Mr Sykes in Las Vegas Feb 26: Mr Bond released Click here for how the mix-up happened

He said being allowed to read a local newspaper and attempt the crossword was a "major contribution to my sanity" when he was at his lowest ebb.

When asked if he would return to South Africa, his voice began to waver.

He admitted he had lots of friends there and he "didn't rule out returning, but it would be difficult".

When asked when he would be returning to the UK, he lost his composure and broke down in tears, hoping it would be "as soon as possible".

"I have three super children and my grandchildren. I just want to be home," he said.