This is London reports that “captive sailor Arthur Batchelor, who was dubbed Mr Bean by the Iranians, has apologised for selling his hostage ordeal story and ‘letting the Navy down’.”
More:
Seaman Batchelor’s claim that he cried himself to sleep after his Iranian captors likened him to the comedy character Mr Bean made him a laughing stock.
One serving soldier posted: “Batchelor didn’t do the reputation of servicemen much good either! Being broken by being called Mr Bean FFS! – that must be on a par with Monty Python’s Spanish Inquisition and the comfy cushions.”
Comments left on unofficial forces’ websites, the Rum Ration and the British Army Rumour Service laid into Ms Turney and Mr Batchelor.
Another servicemen says of Mr Batchelor’s complaint that his iPod was stolen by the Iranians: “What I wish to know is why a young lad on a boarding party detail needed to take his iPod? If he listened to The Ride of the Valkyries as he sped towards the target ship, what did he listen to on his trip to Iran?”
In response others on Rum Ration suggest: “Crying by Don McLean, perhaps?, The Beat Surrender, Always Look On The Bright Side Of life? and Onward Christian Soldiers.”
Another contributor said of Ms Turney, who sold her story to the Sun: “Made me squirm when she said ‘President of Iran gave me a toy doll for my daughter and am keeping it after the bomb disposal experts cleared it’.
“Believe me dear, the Iranians don’t need to get any more publicity from blowing up you or anyone else … you’re providing all the publicity for them for free.”
You know, I have to admit that I am starting to feel sorry for the ‘chap’.
He said that the money he received for his story “will simply pay for a few driving lessons.” He’s “not sure it will cover the cost of an actual test, let alone a car.” This while the female hostage reportedly received £100,000.
The sad reality is… that I actually believe Mr. Batchelor when he says he did not receive a lot of money.
Okay Arthur, here is what you do: you do not use the money for “a few driving lessons.” Instead, you give it to some charity, best for a charity for veterans or something like it.
And so, the nightmare continues.
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