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Iranian captives can sell stories Iranian captives can sell stories
(30 minutes later)
The 15 Royal Navy personnel held captive by Iran are to be allowed to sell their stories to the media.The 15 Royal Navy personnel held captive by Iran are to be allowed to sell their stories to the media.
The Ministry of Defence said their experiences amounted to "exceptional circumstances" that allowed its usual ban on such payments to be lifted.The Ministry of Defence said their experiences amounted to "exceptional circumstances" that allowed its usual ban on such payments to be lifted.
The sailors and Royal Marines were held after Iran accused them of entering its waters, a claim they denied.The sailors and Royal Marines were held after Iran accused them of entering its waters, a claim they denied.
The personnel later said they were blindfolded, bound and held in isolation during the 13 days.The personnel later said they were blindfolded, bound and held in isolation during the 13 days.
In a statement the MoD said: "Serving personnel are not allowed to enter financial arrangements with media organisations.In a statement the MoD said: "Serving personnel are not allowed to enter financial arrangements with media organisations.
"However, in exceptional circumstances such as the awarding of a Victoria Cross or events such as those in recent days, permission can be granted by commanding officers and the MoD.""However, in exceptional circumstances such as the awarding of a Victoria Cross or events such as those in recent days, permission can be granted by commanding officers and the MoD."
BBC political correspondent James Hardy said the decision was prompted by the huge amount of interest shown in the story which could potentially earn the personnel six figure sums.
"The MoD has decided the easiest thing in this case is to allow them to sell their stories and offer any help and support they need in the process," our correspondent said.
But he added the Conservatives had already expressed unease at the move, with shadow defence spokesman Liam Fox telling the Sunday Times it could bring into question the crew's professionalism.
'Utter despair''Utter despair'
Members of the captive crew, meanwhile, have been paying tributes to the four British soldiers killed in Iraq on the day they flew back to the UK.Members of the captive crew, meanwhile, have been paying tributes to the four British soldiers killed in Iraq on the day they flew back to the UK.
Second Lt Joanna Yorke Dyer, Cpl Kris O'Neill, Private Eleanor Dlugosz and Kingsman Adam James Smith died in the roadside bomb blast near Basra, southern Iraq on Thursday. A civilian Kuwaiti translator was also killed, while a fifth soldier was very seriously injured.Second Lt Joanna Yorke Dyer, Cpl Kris O'Neill, Private Eleanor Dlugosz and Kingsman Adam James Smith died in the roadside bomb blast near Basra, southern Iraq on Thursday. A civilian Kuwaiti translator was also killed, while a fifth soldier was very seriously injured.
It's so difficult to be ecstatic at a time like this because four soldiers have lost their lives Cpl Dean HarrisIt's so difficult to be ecstatic at a time like this because four soldiers have lost their lives Cpl Dean Harris
At a news conference on Friday, seven of the captives passed on their "thoughts and condolences" to the soldiers' families.At a news conference on Friday, seven of the captives passed on their "thoughts and condolences" to the soldiers' families.
Royal Marine Corporal Dean Harris from Trevaughan, south Wales, expressed similar sentiments in his first public comments since arriving back.Royal Marine Corporal Dean Harris from Trevaughan, south Wales, expressed similar sentiments in his first public comments since arriving back.
He said the deaths in Basra meant he was finding it hard to take part in homecoming celebrations.He said the deaths in Basra meant he was finding it hard to take part in homecoming celebrations.
"It's so difficult to be ecstatic at a time like this because four soldiers have lost their lives," Cpl Harris said."It's so difficult to be ecstatic at a time like this because four soldiers have lost their lives," Cpl Harris said.
Leading Seaman Turney's parents, Alan and Rosalind Boswell, also said their thoughts were with the families of those killed.Leading Seaman Turney's parents, Alan and Rosalind Boswell, also said their thoughts were with the families of those killed.
In a statement, they thanked the government, diplomats, the MoD and the Royal Navy who all helped secure the release of their daughter, 26, the mother of a young girl.In a statement, they thanked the government, diplomats, the MoD and the Royal Navy who all helped secure the release of their daughter, 26, the mother of a young girl.
They added: "The homecoming of Faye and her colleagues was for us totally overshadowed by the news that four British personnel had been killed in Basra.They added: "The homecoming of Faye and her colleagues was for us totally overshadowed by the news that four British personnel had been killed in Basra.
"The feeling of utter despair and loss being suffered by their families and friends does not bear thinking about and our hearts go out to them.""The feeling of utter despair and loss being suffered by their families and friends does not bear thinking about and our hearts go out to them."