Captured Personnel Permitted to Tell Stories for Money

[navibrator]

Do we have no pride anymore or will we sell out to the highest bidder? This sickens me when others are dying out there. It also shows an amazing amount of insensitivity in a week when we lost another 4! Disgusted!

[Tiger_mate]

Ditto

We clearly are moving into a new era of military individual.

£100,000 from the tabloids for the female has been quoted. Shamefull.

[extpwron]

Unless all the money is donated to the benevolent funds.

[Albert Driver]

What's £100,000 when you've a cigarette and headscarf habit to feed?

[pigsinspace]

And if they get to make a few quid so what?

There is no difference in them selling their story and the other ex captives using their captivity to get high paying media jobs..ie Tornado aircrew.

A basic naval rating does not earn a fortune and they have been through a bad few weeks so good luck to them..

[navibrator]

The differance PigsinSpace is that we are still there doing a job! Careless talk costs lives - and who knows what will be true and exagerated to sell papers.

[flower]

It plays into the hands of the Iranians and makes everything the UK says or does seem highly dubious.
I expect nothing less however in Bliars world of spin.

[FantomZorbin]

So ... this is all part of a media circus and we (the public) are dumb enough to swallow any guff that tells us that it is 'all in the public interest' - what about the forces serving in theatre?. What in MOD sanctioned this? Whatever is 'revealed', in the ensuing frenzy of copy from the tabloids et al, will be used in varying degrees against the next batch of detainees when they are put in harms way without proper support/back-up.

The whole thing is so crass that one wonders whether the entire situation was engineered by Downing Street to drum up support against Iran for any future US action.

My deepest commiserations and sympathy to all those whose loved ones will never walk down the aircraft steps let alone to a big fat cheque.

B****y appalling

[snapper41]

If they have one shred of dignity left, they'll turn away from the media. Is this really what the British military has come to? They weren't badly treated, (like the Tornado aircrew pigsinspace refers to were, and who were actually fighting a war), and they cheapened themselves, their uniforms, their Service and their country by appearing on Iranian TV. Their conduct has been disgraceful; instead of promoting the stories, the MoD should be considering charges against them. Section 69, anyone?

[Jacks Down]

I thought their conduct whilst captive was questionable, but I wasn't there etc etc. However, this puts them firmly beyond the pale in my eyes. I really hope somebody is re-writing the rule book after this sorry experience.

[nigegilb]

I suspect, in part, the MoD agreed this to retain some kind of censorship. Have to say, I was surprised to hear them talking to the press about controlled release, cocking of weapons etc. What are the IRG going to do next time in order to scare their captives? And what are they going to be satisfied with in terms of information? The way the RN operates there is a real chance of more captives to come and the Iranians have already made it clear they would do it again.

This really is quite risky, we may well be at war with Iran soon. Rest assured that a British Govt would offer assistance to the US regardless of what they are saying at the moment. If I were one of the 15, I would look to make enough money to leave, or preferably not do it. This must be a career threatening thing to do.

[DME MILOS]

There's a very fine line between appearing on television because somebody in the wings has a gun against your friend's head, and selling your story to a tabloid hack for a huge paycheck. Is there no honour any more, or are we all so keen to become instant celebrities that we'll sell our souls?

[nigegilb]

General Jackson sold the rights to his story for £1m. The female here has been offered £150,000. That is a lot of money. I am sure it is very tempting, but how could you face your colleagues afterwards?

There is an element of hypocrosy here. I have little time for Jackson, he saw little active service in his time, but at least he waited until he left.

[pigsinspace]

I would guess some of those guys and girl will now be leaving the "service" I for one would not go back if I had been through their experiences.

I dont blame them for making money.. not one bit.... and to the buffoon who said the Tornado pilots were fighting a real war........what are we doing in Iraq or Afghanistan now?

[HEDP]

IMHO I sincerely hope that the authorisation to take the money will be turned down whatever the destination of the cash.

I think it is disgraceful that profit should be made from such a shoddy affair.

I can only begin to imagine the damage that this will do to the standing of our armed forces if it is to go ahead.

And just for good measure, I hope that I never have to serve with anyone who would countenance such an option.

This is of course merely the opinion of my 26 years service that I have no doubt will now be riduiculed by all and sundry.

Disgusted,

HEDP

[Gnd]

Not to sure what I would do, but, I think I would take every penny I could get off the blood sucking journos - just try to be cleaver enough to scr*w the Blair MoD killing machine in the process!!

[ZH875]

Permission to sell thier 'Story' is probably aimed at working like an FRI.

You can sell your 'Story' if you promise to do 5 more years in HMs Finest.

Either that or what if:

In the same scenario questions as Kamikaze Pilots:

The released troops threaten to sue MOD and President Bliar under the H&S act for not providing them the correct tools and a safe place of work. As this has Human Rights issues, they could get First Lady Booth to represent them, so they get permission to sell their stories, and remain in the Forces, BUT, due to the treatment they (may) get from their comrades, they are forced out of the Forces and claim constructive dismissal, therefore getting lots more money.

This would mean that as a result of promising not to sue, they would be looked after for life.


Just a scenario...nothing inferred.


But then again ......

Maybe, they all went to discharge their weapons on the 'enemy' but forgot to take the safety catch off....

[MReyn24050]

It certainly looks as though the lunatics have taken over the asylum, with this Government what can one expect. Where has the loyalty, integrity and honour gone that once was the core of HM Forces. In a week when we have six service personnel returning to the UK in body bags and we have these 15 returning to the UK via business class on British Airways carrying their goody bags presented to them by their captors who we are told blindfolded handcuffed, and pushed them against a wall and then stuffed them into cells not allowing them to see another human being for six days. Now, they are free to publish their stories and become celebrities.

The Sunday Telegraph reports:- An MOD source said “ From the moment of their release, the families and friends of the Servicemen were bombarded with cash offers. We are talking about life-changing sums of money being offered to people”. Yes these individuals went through a very stressful time but at least they came out of it alive.

It just sickens me when I think of all the grief that the families of those who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, those who have been injured and disabled during this conflict and the families still waiting for Inquest’s to be held on their loved ones. What sort of message does this give to them?

[Smoketoomuch]

A cynic might suggest that this is a sneaky but deliberate attempt by the government/MoD to discredit the 'Iran 15' - and in some eyes they are already regarded with some disdain - and by extension discredit the whole UK armed forces. It will make the next defence cuts so much easier to push through. Lack of equipment? Who cares. Shoddy medical care? Well they can afford to go private now surely.

Whatever the reasons for this decision - rest assured it has nothing whatsoever to do with the welfare or wishes of the 15.

[PompeySailor]

I actually believe the Iranian version of events anyway. Having seen this government lie, cheat, steal and generally behave like scum (with proof - cash for honours, pension schemes, house buying/sell offs, drug dealing and using ministers offspring, etc), I believe the Iranian government probably have far more integrity.

I wonder if we could cast Blair, Brown and Prescott adrift in Iranian waters? Of course, we would have to hope they were picked up before Prescott ate the other two.