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Iran airs second sailor 'apology' Iran airs second sailor 'apology'
(20 minutes later)
A second member of the Royal Navy crew captured in the Gulf has apologised for "trespassing" in Iranian waters, in a broadcast on Iranian television.A second member of the Royal Navy crew captured in the Gulf has apologised for "trespassing" in Iranian waters, in a broadcast on Iranian television.
He says: "We trespassed... I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission."He says: "We trespassed... I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission."
The crewman introduces himself as Nathan Thomas Summers.The crewman introduces himself as Nathan Thomas Summers.
Tony Blair said "parading" the crew in this way would only "enhance people's sense of disgust with Iran". The UK denies the crew had trespassed.Tony Blair said "parading" the crew in this way would only "enhance people's sense of disgust with Iran". The UK denies the crew had trespassed.
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett described the latest footage as "quite appalling", and contrary to the normal international conventions not to use people in this way against their will for "blatant propaganda". What the Iranians have to realise is if they continue in this way they will face increasing isolation Tony Blair
The Prime Minister said that Iran must realise that it was becoming "increasingly isolated" in the international community and that the only possible outcome was the release of the Britons.
Britain was pursuing the problem with "firmness and determination" but also with patience.
Mr Blair said: "I really don't know why the Iranian regime keep doing this. All it does is enhance people's sense of disgust at captured personnel being paraded and manipulated in this way.
"It doesn't fool anyone. And what the Iranians have to realise is if they continue in this way they will face increasing isolation."
He added that it was "perfectly obvious these people were in Iraqi waters under a United Nations mandate".
'Illegal act''Illegal act'
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett described the latest footage as "quite appalling", and contrary to the normal international conventions not to use people in this way against their will for "blatant propaganda".
She also disclosed there was nothing in a formal letter from the Iranians to the UK that suggested they were looking for a solution to "this difficult situation",She also disclosed there was nothing in a formal letter from the Iranians to the UK that suggested they were looking for a solution to "this difficult situation",
The Iranian embassy in London said the note condemns the "illegal act" by British naval personnel.The Iranian embassy in London said the note condemns the "illegal act" by British naval personnel.
The note does not demand an apology, although earlier Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did call on Britain to apologise to Tehran.The note does not demand an apology, although earlier Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did call on Britain to apologise to Tehran.
Meanwhile Whitehall sources told the BBC that procedures for patrolling in the Gulf close to the Iran-Iraq maritime border - and the equipping of British forces there - were both under review.
Since we've been arrested in Iran our treatment has been very friendly. We have not been harmed at all. Nathan Thomas Summers on Iranian TV Second 'apology' in fullSince we've been arrested in Iran our treatment has been very friendly. We have not been harmed at all. Nathan Thomas Summers on Iranian TV Second 'apology' in full
On Wednesday, the only woman among the 15 navy personnel, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, from Shropshire, was shown on Iranian TV making similar comments to those of her colleague.On Wednesday, the only woman among the 15 navy personnel, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, from Shropshire, was shown on Iranian TV making similar comments to those of her colleague.
In the latest video, the sailor, who is also shown with LS Turney and another British sailor, says: "Since we've been arrested in Iran our treatment has been very friendly.In the latest video, the sailor, who is also shown with LS Turney and another British sailor, says: "Since we've been arrested in Iran our treatment has been very friendly.
"We have not been harmed at all. They've looked after us really well."We have not been harmed at all. They've looked after us really well.
"The food they've been serving us is good and I am grateful that no harm has come to us."The food they've been serving us is good and I am grateful that no harm has come to us.
"I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission. And that happened back in 2004, and the government promised that it wouldn't happen again."I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission. And that happened back in 2004, and the government promised that it wouldn't happen again.
"Again I deeply apologise for entering your waters.""Again I deeply apologise for entering your waters."
UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters UK version in more detailUK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters UK version in more detail
Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the note may be the beginning of a "proper exchange" and could "offer the possibility of a solution".
Earlier, the UN Security Council agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's actions.Earlier, the UN Security Council agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's actions.
The statement also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel and urges an "early resolution", including release of the crew, but stops short of "deploring" Iran's action, as requested by the UK.The statement also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel and urges an "early resolution", including release of the crew, but stops short of "deploring" Iran's action, as requested by the UK.
Iran said it was not helpful to try to engage third parties in the dispute.Iran said it was not helpful to try to engage third parties in the dispute.
European Union foreign ministers are expected to express their solidarity with the UK, at a meeting in Germany, over the detention of the navy crew.European Union foreign ministers are expected to express their solidarity with the UK, at a meeting in Germany, over the detention of the navy crew.
On a visit to British troops in Afghanistan on Friday, Chancellor Gordon Brown welcomed the UN resolution.On a visit to British troops in Afghanistan on Friday, Chancellor Gordon Brown welcomed the UN resolution.
He said: "The UN resolution is calling definitively for [the navy crew's] release. That's the unanimous view of the international community."He said: "The UN resolution is calling definitively for [the navy crew's] release. That's the unanimous view of the international community."
Responding to the UN statement, David Cameron, the Conservative leader, said: "Really there's only one right outcome to this which is for Iran to release those people that they took captive, that they should be released without any further ado. It's as clear and as simple as that."
Revolutionary GuardsRevolutionary Guards
The UK failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring Iran's actions, following opposition led by Russia.The UK failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring Iran's actions, following opposition led by Russia.
Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels.Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels.
"The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful.""The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful."
The UN Security Council statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations on Thursday.The UN Security Council statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations on Thursday.
The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized a week ago by Iranian Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized a week ago by Iranian Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.
Iran says they had strayed into Iranian territorial waters.Iran says they had strayed into Iranian territorial waters.
Earlier this week, the Royal Navy produced satellite data it said proved they did not.Earlier this week, the Royal Navy produced satellite data it said proved they did not.