Former Iran captives back on ship

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Some of the Royal Navy personnel held by Iran last month will return to their ship this week, the MoD has confirmed.

The crew members are back at work and have been receiving briefings before going back to HMS Cornwall in the Gulf.

The personnel were held by Iran for 13 days before returning to the Royal Marine base at Chivenor in Devon.

The eight sailors and seven Marines were seized while conducting routine Royal Navy boarding operations on shipping in the Gulf on 23 March.

Iran said the personnel had strayed into its territory, but the UK said they were in Iraqi waters.

Stories sold

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We can confirm that some of the individuals will be returning to their ship this week.

"They have been back at work since last Monday and have been receiving briefings."

The MoD would not reveal which individuals will be returning to the Cornwall this week.

CAPTURED NAVY PERSONNEL Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham in CheshireMark Banks, 24, of Lowestoft, SuffolkPaul Barton, of Southport, MerseysideArthur Batchelor, 20, of PlymouthFelix Carman, 26, of SwanseaGavin CavendishChristopher Coe, 31, of HuddersfieldDean Harris, 24, of Carmarthen, west WalesAndrew HendersonSimon MasseyDanny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, AyrshireAdam Sperry, 22, of Wigston, near LeicesterNathan Summers, of Hayle, CornwallJoe Tindell, 21, of south LondonFaye Turney, 26, originally from Shropshire <a class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6518203.stm">Profiles of navy personnel</a>

The Sun reported that they are the only woman captured, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, Lieutenant Felix Carman, boat navigator Arthur Batchelor and the five other sailors.

The seven Royal Marines have been given other postings and return to work on Monday, the newspaper says.

A controversial decision by the MoD to allow the crew to sell their stories to newspapers was revoked.

Defence Secretary Des Browne announced an inquiry into the decision, headed by former BBC news and current affairs chief Tony Hall.

The Royal Navy has resumed boarding operations in the northern Gulf after they were suspended following the capture of the personnel.

The head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, defended the actions of the crew after they were criticised for being captured too easily and for appearing on Iranian TV apologising.