UPDATED below: Iran plans book, CD on Britons’ detention
Another great take on the hostage drama, this time by Toby Harnden, blogging for the Telegraph.
It took just two blubbering sailors spilling their guts before the Government realised its nifty PR strategy to hide the ignominy of what happened to the Tehran 15 had backfired badly. Now the original ban on getting paid for newspaper stories has been restored.
Bit late now, eh? The two sailors, about as much use in a combat situation as chocolate teapots, have got their dosh. They have cheerfully detailed their craven wimpiness. And the Iranians have released more video footage for the world to laugh at. What a fiasco.
In case you missed it, let me give you the highlights of what our brave sailors had to say. Leading Seaman Faye Turney opted for The Sun and ITN (“I chose The Sun because it is the Forces’ paper. You are always on our side. I trust you.” – Oh, nothing to do with the reported check for the sum of £100,000 then?)…
Meanwhile, it seems to be dawning on Captain Chris Air of the Royal Marines that he and his men might not have covered themselves in glory. In an unpaid interview with the Manchester Evening News , he said: “Some people probably did co-operate a bit too easily and were sucked in by the promise of better facilities.” Ouch…
OM Batchelor? You’re a chirpy, sensitive chap. Maybe you could work in a pet grooming salon or start a window-cleaning service – if you’re not afraid of heights.
Read the whole thing.
UPDATE
As if Britain hasn’t been humiliated enough:
Iran plans to release a book and CD detailing the arrest and detention of 15 British sailors and marines whom Tehran blames for illegally crossing into Iranian waters, an Iranian military spokesman said.
The book and compact disc are “being prepared and will soon be distributed,” Gen. Ali-Reza Afshar said in a written statement.
This is… there are no words for this. What a fiasco.
