KEY POINTS:
The British Ministry of Defence today banned any more of the 15 sailors and marines held in Iran from selling their stories to the media, reversing a previous decision after widespread criticism.
Defence Secretary Des Browne announced a "review of the regulations" concerning payment for stories after defence experts, former military commanders and members of the public expressed outrage that some had profited from their captivity.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Murdoch Matheson
Why not? Should we also ban the British Prime Minister from giving his side of the same incident in his Memoirs which will surely follow with lots of positive promotional fanfare. Let them have their day, at least they were ready to put their lives on the line which I haven't seen any political leader do since the days when the King would lead his troops into battle.To the winner the spoils. And again, why not.
Warren Brierly
I am still trying to figure out how such a pitifully armed group of Marines were allowed to be on patrol in an area of such obvious dispute in the first place, unless someone higher up actually wanted them to be captured in the first place, or perhaps that is simple distrust on military command thinking.Let them sell their stories, they get paid a pittance as it is for putting their lives on the line,and the young woman has a daughter to put through college.
Kiwi Lisa
The 15 brave British sailors were given one heck of a rough treatment by the barbaric Iranian dictatorship and could have paid with their own lives for trying to stop smuggling arms and explosives from Iran to kill as many as possible in Iraq. We all know how this bloodthirsty Iranian Islamist regime treated the Americans when they totally illegally occupied the US embassy in Tehran years ago. I very much doubt that the 15 brave British sailors were treated well like the despotic Iranian regime claims. Anyone going against this brutal Iranian dictatorship, be it Iranians or foreigners, are often likely to be tortured and likewise executed. So why should they have treated the British any better? Just doesn't make sense! They must have been terribly petrified as to what their destiny would have turned out to be and thus suffered badly psychologically maybe for life.
Thus I think it's quite ok that they be allowed to sell their horror stories to the press, at least in order to soothe their painful experiences it surely must have been for them all. But also to let the world know what barbarism rules Iran. Because, they are heroes who all suffered terrible pains by the hands of the blood-thirsty dictatorial Iranian regime, in order to let sanity get a foothold in Iraq.
Bill
The money shouldn't be the issue. Iran is clearly trying to show they treat prisoners with respect, in contrast to the US and UK who fly prisoners around the world for torture. So, did they treat the prisoners in accordance with international law? I don't trust the military hierarchy to listen to the released prisoners and tell the public what happened - I'd rather hear it straight from the prisoners.
Thom Grey
In the forces unending game of chess, there is not a staggering amount of support for the proverbial pawns. The days of Black hawk Down are viewed these days as a blatant disregard of economy and rather embarrassing.Had I been part of the 15 held in Iran whilst the UK (in their infinite wisdom) fluffed around attempting to look collected, I for one, would not be feel remarkably charitable towards the hierarchy effectively playing Russian Roulette with my freedom. My sense of patriotism would be, at best, apocryphal. Sell your stories, boys. Give 'em hell.
SB
Why not? Everyone else, such as those who sleep with or who have worked for "famous" people get to sell their stories, so why not these people? In fact, I would much rather read the story of someone who was held hostage than the woman who slept with David Beckham. Is it really that big an issue? People are just jealous of other peoples monetary gain. Who cares?? No one complained about the two Aussie miners who were trapped underground and sold their story for a six figure sum, these officers were in a very similar situation - more power to them I say!
John Macassey
Now we have the video footage of the British sailors watching football on TV while laughing and chatting- all at the time they now claim they were being so horribly mistreated. Well, also via the news media, both Blair and Bush told us some dubious stories immediately prior to the British/American invasion of Iraq.
CU
No! Most employers (with any sense) will have a confidentiality clause imposed within a employment contract. I am sure the armed forces are no different. Personnel of the armed forces are experiencing these events as part of their employment. Flagrant bartering and disclosure of 'stories' will surely end up in any country's national security being comprised plus the respect an reputation of armed forces being lost As a taxpaying citizen, I view armed personnel as being in the employment the country (who salaries are paid by the tax payers) therefore they do not have the right to (possibly) violate our security in order to make a buck, or prostitute the processes of their duty. Where does it leave those personnel who join the armed forces for the right reason - I believe they should be left with the dignity for which they joined the armed forces; to denigrate them with a career choice which is open to prostitution is a sad lack of respect on our part.
Anna
I fail to see what the hoohaa is about - the sailors were thrust into the limelight during the course of their work and through no fault of their own, in my opinion it is only fair they reap some of the profit gained by the media for their ordeal. In practical terms they'll need cash to regain privacy. I think it's a pity that a bitter few have let jealousy get in the way of a fair deal.
Bruce Roscoe
It doesn't sit well that some rescued military personnel can sell their stories while others are wounded or killed in battle, for no more financial reward than their pay. But there is a double standard here. If rank and file military can't sell their stories, then should a general be able to sell his memoirs?
Matt
It's their story, so they should have the right to tell the press, and anyone else about it. Be it for free, or a ridiculously high price like some already have done.
Stef
While "cashing in" on traumatic events such as the ones the captives went through can be seen as selfish etc. I'm just glad that they aren't dead with the executions running free to air.
