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Blair's office knew of decision to allow sailors to talk (Roundup)

Apr 10, 2007, 12:39 GMT

London - The office of Prime Minister Tony Blair Tuesday broke its silence in the growing row over the 'cash for sailors' affair and said Blair was informed of the decision to allow the captives released by Iran to sell their stories to the British media. Number 10, Downing Street, the office of Blair, had been informed of the decision on Sunday, a spokeswoman said. However, she would not be drawn on when or whether Blair himself was told of the controversial plan. After two of the 15 former captives, including female sailor Faye Turney, sold their stories to newspapers and television channels for what are reported to be six-figure sums, Defence Secretary Des Browne Monday evening reversed the decision, reimposing a traditional ban on the armed forces' contacts with the media. However, in a clear attempt to shift responsibility away from the government, Blair's spokeswoman said the decision to allow the naval personnel to speak out was taken by the Navy. Blair supported the defence secretary in his decision 'to take a look at this,' she added, referring to the review of the rules ordered by Browne. 'What's important now is to look at this and look at these situations, to recognize the world in which we are operating in terms of the media and the vast sums of money involved,' said Blair's spokeswoman. 'I don't think it's helpful to get into who informed who when,' she added. However, criticism of Browne, who has been widely reported as having sanctioned the initial decision by the Navy, continued unabated Tuesday. Britain's armed forces had become a 'laughing stock' in the furore over the interviews, Peter Kilfoyle, a former Labour state secretary in the defence ministry, said Tuesday. Even though the initial decision to allow the sailors and marines to speak may have been made by the Navy top brass, the government was ultimately responsible for the embarrassing episode, he said. Earlier, the defence spokesman for the opposition Conservative Party, Liam Fox, said the members of the armed forces had been 'put up for auction in the most horribly undignified fashion' in an apparent effort to score a 'propaganda victory' over Iran. 'This will not have gone unnoticed overseas,' said Fox. Other critics have said the sailors had been allowed allowed to take part in a 'military Big Brother show.' Browne admitted late Monday that the decision to let the sailors be interviewed by the media had 'not been a success.' 'It was a very tough call for the Navy, but everyone involved accepts it had not reached a satisfactory outcome,' said Browne, ordering that all interviews should be stopped until a review of the rules regarding media contact of armed forces personnel had been completed. Kilfoyle said that while Browne was clearly trying to 'distance himself from a great embarrassment, the reality of it is that, as Secretary of State, he will carry the can.' Meanwhile, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, the only woman among the group of captives freed last Wednesday, revealed further details of her experience in the Sun newspaper Tuesday. She said the thought of her three-year-old daughter, Molly, growing up without a mother had reduced her to tears while she was held captive. Her biggest concern had been that Molly would have seen her paraded blindfold on TV and been scared, said Turney. The 26-year old is reported to have negotiated media deals worth in excess of 100,000 pounds (190,000 dollars) prior to the ban re- imposed by the government. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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Jim McKenzieApr 10th, 2007 - 14:33:45

Tony Blair, Des Brown, in fact the whole of the labour cabinet are not fit for purpose. This whole shambles should never have been allowed to happen or was it yet another way of this tarnished government 'covering up bad news' As to the Naval personell trying to milk the system, whatever happened to that good old stand by charge, 'Subject to Good Order and Naval Discipline'. They have let the military down big time.

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O OsameApr 10th, 2007 - 15:19:40

These soldiers should not be commended for being captured in the first place. They cracked too quickly, they could have shown some defiance. To me they are cowards and should hide their face in shame. I thought members of the british navy and marines were highly professional soldiers who are trained in ways of not cracking under coercion and pressure. What a shame.

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Des RafterApr 10th, 2007 - 15:39:32

What on earth has happened to our elite Royal Marines ( Per Mare Per Terram)& the Royal Navy.

Where was the pride, honour or dignity from any of the captured marines or sailors.
These used to be and are supposed to be the best we have.
Does anyone really believe that any of them had a hard time in Iranian hands, because I do not.

Allowing themselves to be captured without a fight is bad enough but they should be ashamed of themselves for the humilation they have brought on all the fine marines, soldiers & sailors who have served the UK before them.

The Royal Marine Captain and the Royal Navy Lieutenant in charge in the field are not fit to wear the uniform, they have shown no leadership other then bring disgrace on all the British armed services.

I hope for this UK's future that all these play acting fools are quickly given the boot.

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T.D.Rothwell ex para 6th Airborne Div.Apr 10th, 2007 - 16:20:31

H.M.S. Plymouth is a disgraced ship, there needs to be a Court of Enquiry,followed by a Courts Martial of the Officers and Crew who allowed it to happen. Bring back Captain Bligh, and Lord Nelson to sit in judgement,and make ready the ships Yardarm.

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Paul B. CantorApr 10th, 2007 - 16:25:50

A Royal Marine was quoted as saying that it was a job to him [not a calling] and he wouldn't put himself in harms way for a job. Its the same problem we had in the US with the reservists. They never thought they might actually be called upon to fight on behalf of their country. I think that the behavior of the captured sailors was deplorable, regardless of whether or not they were where they weren't supposed to be. I imagine the outcome will be that they are cashiered, and then free to make any media deals they are able to. The UK is still a signatory of the Geneva Hague Conventions, or don't they teach that to their soldiers and sailors anymore?

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ValuePlusApr 10th, 2007 - 19:06:42

After isolating the 15 once they were released by the Iranians, first by throwing everyone out of the Business class of the BA flight home and then taking them straight from Heathrow without any chance of giving an interview, are they now being rewarded for giving out the MOD version of what happened to them in Iran? It makes you wonder.

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ZI7Apr 10th, 2007 - 19:47:17

Having read Heinrich Harrer's SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET I look forward to FIVE YEARS IN GUANTAMANO.
Pity, the CIA put a Gagging Order on the two hundred prisoners they released from Gitmo.... so we might never get to the truth.

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ZI7Apr 10th, 2007 - 20:00:35

I mean I want to read a book called FIVE YEARS IN GUANTAMANO but I don't want to GO there!
A book would be sensational,who knows, they might even make a film of it...thats what happened to H.Harrer's book.

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