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Browne to face MPs over Iran crew Browne 'sorry' over crew stories
(1 day later)
Defence Secretary Des Browne is to face MPs over the decision to allow the UK navy personnel held captive by Iran to sell their stories to newspapers. Defence Secretary Des Browne has apologised for not blocking the sale of stories by sailors freed by Iran.
The Conservatives have said that unless a valid reason is given, they will call for his resignation, while the Lib Dems say Mr Browne needs "clever answers". He told MPs he "profoundly regretted" the "mistake" and any damage done to the reputation of UK armed forces.
The defence secretary, due to make a Commons statement at 1530 BST, has taken responsibility for the decision. He announced an inquiry into the decision - and a separate probe into how the sailors came to be captured by Iran in the first place.
Home Secretary John Reid called him "courageous" for accepting the blame. But Liam Fox, for the Tories, said Mr Browne had "humiliated" the UK and his position was "becoming untenable".
'Full account' In his statement, Mr Browne said there had been "no apology and no deal" with Iran to secure the release of the 15 personnel.
'No witch hunt'
He said an inquiry into their capture, in the Shatt al Arab waterway, would be led by the Governor General of Gibraltar, Lieutenant General Sir Rob Fulton, Royal Marines. This would take about six weeks.
He has a natural inclination to be a power behind the throne Ex-colleague on Des Browne Send us your comments Analysis: Can he survive? In full: Browne statement
It was important "Parliament gets the answer it deserves and, more importantly, learns lessons for the future", said Mr Browne.
A separate inquiry into the way the media was handled after the captives' return to the UK will be conducted by a senior military officer and a senior Ministry of Defence official, both unconnected with the decision, and would not be a "witch-hunt", he said.
Mr Browne, who is MP Kilmarnock and Loudoun, said the navy had allowed sale of stories "in good faith".
Responding to Mr Browne's statement, Mr Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "In a more honourable time in politics, the resignation of a secretary of state who had overseen such a humiliating fiasco on his watch would have been an inevitability."
'Shambles'
He added: "Doesn't anyone in the government feel responsible for the national humiliation we have suffered at the hands of the pariah regime of Iran?"
Des Browne has proved that MPs can make mistakes, say sorry and survive BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
Mr Fox also said: "The shambles surrounding the media handling is unforgivable."
Mr Browne said: "If he wants me to say sorry, then I'm happy to say sorry."
He added: "I don't accept that this operation was a humiliation for the Royal Navy....
"I have an important job to do and I intend to get on with it."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said the defence secretary should be judged on the results of this inquiry into the crew's capture, rather than the sale of their stories.
He added: "It would not be right for him to resign his post over the media coverage of these events while the prime minister and cabinet who led us into the most disastrous foreign intervention in 50 years remain in post."
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said there was now "no chance" Mr Browne would have to resign.
'Full confidence'
He added: "Des Browne has proved that politicians can make mistakes and say sorry and still survive if they have few enemies waiting for them to fail."
Earlier, Tony Blair's spokesman said the prime minister had "full confidence" in the defence secretary.
The Royal Navy crew were on patrol boats in the Gulf on 23 March when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.The Royal Navy crew were on patrol boats in the Gulf on 23 March when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
The Iranians accused them of straying into its waters, but the British say they were in Iraqi territory.The Iranians accused them of straying into its waters, but the British say they were in Iraqi territory.
He has a natural inclination to be a power behind the throne Ex-colleague on Des Browne class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/4977660.stm">Profile: Des Browne After they were freed, the navy allowed some of the crew members to sell their stories - a decision criticised by families of servicemen and women killed in action, opposition politicians and former military leaders.
They were freed earlier this month and later the navy allowed the 15 crew members to sell their stories. This decision was then reversed, following criticism. Mr Browne said he was not happy with the navy's decision to allow the sale, but believed at the time he was powerless to stop it.
Conservative leader David Cameron told the BBC Mr Browne had to "give a full account to Parliament and explain the actions his department and Number 10 took". He later said, with hindsight, that he "could have made a different decision" and accepted responsibility for what had happened.
He added: "The second test is, does he retain the confidence of the armed services?
"If he can pass those two tests then he keeps his job. If he fails, then I think he has to go."
But Mr Reid told Sky News: "You take decisions every day of the week when you hold a great office of state...
"I think it was courageous [of Mr Browne] to say we got this thing wrong."
Mr Reid added that it would be wrong to "tarnish" the entire armed forces over the sale of the crew's stories.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The media shambles should not detract attention from the fundamental questions as to how the personnel were captured and what measures the Ministry of Defence had put in place to protect and support these marines and sailors."
He added: "If the Ministry of Defence failed to undertake adequate risk assessment or train personnel sufficiently then Des Browne would have no choice but to resign."
Several of the crew sold their stories.
One, Arthur Batchelor, 20, the youngest of the British sailors to be held captive, told the Daily Mirror about his "nightmare" at the hands of his captors - and how they had likened him to the comedy character Mr Bean.
Leading Seaman Faye Turney sold her story to ITV1's Tonight with Trevor Macdonald and the Sun newspaper - reportedly for a six-figure sum, some of which will go to navy families.