LONDON - The capture of British sailors and marines by Iran in the Gulf was the result of a series of mistakes by the Navy, and the decision to let the freed hostages sell their story to the press was a "collective failure of judgment" by the Ministryof Defence, two official inquiries have concluded.
The selling of stories by military personnel would be banned and reforms implemented to prevent a recurrence of the incident, which led to a diplomatic confrontation with Tehran, Defence Secretary Des Browne said.
The damning reports expose Royal Navy failings in appreciating the threat posed by the Iranians, in dealing with intelligence, and in decision-making leading up to the crisis.
The handling of the media by the ministry was marked by disorganisation which allowed the auction of the hostages' story to newspapers and broadcasters, causing "anger and concern" among the public.
The second report, which dealt with the ministry's handling of the media, was headed by Tony Hall, a former BBC director of news and present head of the Royal Opera House; Patrick Turner, a senior ministry civil servant; and Major-General Andrew Stewart, the assistant chief of defence staff.
Mr Hall said that, extraordinarily, he could not find anyone who admitted deciding to allow the returned detainees to sell their story.
"Not one single person in position who took the decision to authorise payment" was found, nor was there "one clear occasion when that decision was made." It was "a collective failure of judgment or abstention from judgment."
