RUNAWAY schoolgirl Emily Carrigan had an emotional reunion with her father yesterday, The Argus can reveal.

The 14-year-old and her solicitor father, Steven, met in the afternoon and were whisked away to a secret location to discuss what led to her five-day disappearance.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus before he left, Steven said: "This is the moment I've been waiting a week for.

"I can hardly wait to give her a big hug and tell her how much I love her. I'm feeling like a new man after days of torture.

"I can't describe the feelings of relief I had when she phoned to tell me that she was safe.

"The first thing she said when she called was that she was sorry - but I said I wasn't interested in that, all I wanted to hear was that she was OK.

Safe

"Emily and I are meeting in a few hours' time. We are going to stay with a friend, who lives a long way away, for a few days so we can talk things through."

Emily stormed out of the family home in Smugglers Walk on March 7 after a row with her 43-year-old father about playing truant from Davison High School, Worthing.

They also argued about a 19-year-old boy called Lewis who Emily met in a nightclub.

Ahuge police hunt followed, with dozens of officers assigned to the case. Posters were put up all over the country.

The drama came to an end on Friday when Emily phoned her father to say she was safe and well in London and would be in touch in a few days' time.

Mr Carrigan praised the Argus for its coverage and launched a scathing attack on national newspaper reports which suggested Emily was too upset to return home.

He said: "Basically we put up a smokescreen to keep the media away - but to suggest she is not looking forward to coming home is not only untrue, but very hurtful.

"We've been on the phone to each other practically every hour since Friday."

He also expressed his anger at a women's magazine which offered him money for an exclusive interview with him and his daughter.

He added: "The Argus was quick off the mark covering the story and have been accurately reporting the truth.

"If Emily feels ready to speak to the media at a later stage, then it will to be The Argus."

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