THE man who led the Royal Marines captured by Iran has described his ordeal and hit back at critics.
As a row erupted over the Ministry of Defence decision to allow the 15 Marines and sailors to sell their stories to the media, Captain Chris Air, from Altrincham, said: "It's not about the money. It's about setting the record straight."
In the interview, for which he was not paid, he described how it was he who gave the order to surrender when the British group were stopped by the Iranians - in a bid to avoid a bloodbath and a dangerous escalation of hostilities between the two countries. Capt Air spoke of his anger at being `paraded like trophies' to the Iranian media and conceded some of his captive colleagues 'probably co-operated too easily' because of the way they were manipulated.
Pathetic
He said he had nothing against the Iranian people, but branded the regime pathetic.
Capt Air described in astonishing detail his 13-day captivity, telling how he did not fear for his life as the group was blind-folded and put before a mock firing squad. He would have been prepared `to face the consequences' rather than falsely admit the British search party had been in Iranian waters.
Capt Air has said the interview with the M.E.N., which took place on Saturday before the payment row erupted, would be his last. He did not want payment but his colleagues were `perfectly entitled to', particularly if it helped them deal with the trauma.
The MoD gave permission to the Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines to cash in on their experience - contrary to usual rules - because of the `exceptional circumstance' surrounding their captivity. The decision has sparked a storm, with families of personnel killed in Iraq saying it was 'shameful' that they should profit in this way. Opposition politicians and former senior military figures warned it would set a dangerous precedent.
Among those who stand to benefit is Leading Seaman Faye Turney - the only woman in the party.
Reports suggests she has sold her story for a six-figure sum.
* CAPT Air will be the guest of the Manchester Evening News at a forthcoming event at the M.E.N. Arena as part of his homecoming celebration.
Read the full interview with Capt Air via the links on the right of this page.
Do you think the former captives should be allowed to profit from their experiences? Have your say below.
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If they have any decency these sevicemen/woman
should donate all the money they receive for selling their stories to the families of those who have lost their loved ones/or been injured in Iraq/Afghanistan.
if it was me id tell the media just how it was and how i felt,sell my storey and donate it to saffa&and service mens& homes
If there is a story to tell while serving and employed in the armed services. The authorities should either allow it to be told or not. It should not be put up for auction, which for many brings that service into disrepute.
I doubt a story, involving a six figure payment,will be 100% true when published, made into a film or whatever. These people should not be allowed to sell their stories while still serving in the Armed Forces.It's blatant insult to the families that have lost someone on active duty.
The MOD are right to counter Iranian propaganda and our version of events must be told. Being paid for it seems undignified, They have opened a can of worms What next?
First of all what ever happened to ¿name, rank and serial number¿? These sailors and marines were singing like canaries and there mistreatment was hearing a gun cocked? Maybe there weren¿t enough chess sets or ping pong tables for all of them to play on. Anyone looking at the videos can see that they weren't being forced to smile, they were sitting around smoking and joking like it was a big party. Now they are cashing in for the biggest payment they can get, when they should at the minimum be facing a military reprimand. This should be a major embarrassment to the British military, it is clear they need to make some changes in their training.
J. Turner
Atlanta, GA
I spent 8 years in the forces myself so i understand to a certain extent what the hostages may of gone through, but in my opinion selling their story is out of order and the MOD should of not allowed it!!
I think that this highly trained Royal Marine captain's position is untenable.
He should he should save the marines more embarassmennt,take the money & resign his commission.
The mod have put a block on all stories as from last night.
Wheres freedom of speech gone serving or not.
Im ex naval and would want ppl to hear the truth and donate my money to ssaffa and service men and womens homes.