Mr Scott had no criticisms of the UK diplomatic staff, who were trying to locate him after being contacted by family members in Britain. "The organisation of the relief effort up until Friday was horrendous," he said. "It was non-existent. "The fact that the Foreign Office weren't able to get through to us is hardly surprising. I wouldn't hold that against the Foreign Office in any way. You would have to look at the American authorities about that." Mr Scott said British tourists trapped in their hotel survived on American Army rations and used bottles of spirits to clean the toilets as conditions deteriorated and it became unsafe to venture outside. "We had managed to collect a lot of bottles of water before the storm itself and we tried our best to stay disease free. "We used bottles of spirits to clean the toilets. We had a bottle of tequila and a bottle of Baileys." The family saw rats on the streets, feeding on refuse. Mr Scott said: "I could not have a lower opinion of the authorities from the police officers on the street right up to George Bush. "But I have a completely opposite view of the American people. "There were so many random acts of kindness - people would go without so my son wouldn't go hungry. "The American people saved us. I wish I could say the same for the American authorities. George Bush and his government left those people to die. "The only person who seems to be trying to do anything is the Mayor of New Orleans and that man is banging his head against a brick wall. "The US can't rescue their own people better than they can rescue people in the Third World. They didn't seem to care about their own people, mainly for economic and social reasons because the people worst-affected were poor and black." The Scotts were yesterday recovering at the Childwall home of Mr Scott's father Les, 71, a former headmaster at St Teresa's RC primary school in Norris Green, and his wife Maureen. Mr Scott snr said: "It has been a very gruelling period for us. First it was hell, then it was followed by a feeling of euphoria when we knew they were safe. "They were blessed by the help of many good people, while the official bodies treated them in an inhumane way. Other Britons caught up in the aftermath of the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Katrina arrived back in the UK yesterday with tales of their lucky escapes. Backpackers, families and people who had been visiting relatives in the US arrived at London's Gatwick Airport, where many were greeted by relieved loved ones and friends. Terry and Trish O'Reilly, from Liverpool, described how their trip to Florida with son Ryan threatened turned to tragedy as Katrina, then a weaker tropical storm, hit the state's coast. They had been enjoying their vacation on an island off the coastline when the storm hit, persuading them to return to Orlando. Mr O'Reilly said: "It started off as a tropical storm, the trees started going, and it just got worse so we made the decision to drive back to Orlando and I am very glad that we did. "It was frightening on the motorway because everyone was panicking. It was bumper to bumper and there were a lot of crashes but I think we got out just in time." alanweston@dailypost.co.uk | 
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