U.K. Bans Military From Selling Stories

Defense Ministry Reverses Decision After Controversy Over Sailors Cashing In On Iran Capture

(CBS/AP)  Britain on Monday banned all military service members from talking to the media in return for payment in the future, reversing its decision to allow the 15 marines and sailors held captive in Iran to sell their stories.

Defense Secretary Des Browne issued a statement saying the navy faced a "very tough call" over its initial decision to allow the payments, which came under sharp criticism. The new ban will not affect those who already gave accounts, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

On Monday, in one of the first accounts, Faye Turney, the sole woman in the detained crew, said that she "felt like a traitor" for agreeing to her captors' demands to appear on Iranian TV and that she believed they had measured her for a coffin.

The Sun newspaper also reported that Turney, 25, was told by her captors that her 14 male colleagues had been released while she alone was being held.

Another sailor, Arthur Batchelor, 20, said he was singled out by his captors because he was the youngest of the crew.

The financial arrangements for Turney and Batchelor were not disclosed, but Turney said the offer she accepted was not the largest she had been offered.

"I was offered a hell of a lot of money for this," Turney told Britain's ITN television network.

That may be an understatement, reports CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar, who says Turney was paid almost $200,000 for her story.

Browne said lessons must be learned from a review the Ministry of Defense is now conducting regarding the regulations that affect service members talking with media.

"I want to be sure those charged with these difficult decisions have clear guidance for the future," Browne said. "Until that time, no further service personnel will be allowed to talk to the media about their experiences in return for payment."

The British sailors and marines were searching a merchant ship on March 23 when they and their two inflatable boats were intercepted by Iranian vessels near the disputed Shatt al-Arab waterway, U.S. and British officials said. Iran claimed the British had strayed into its territorial waters, a charge that Britain denied.

During the crew's captivity, Britain accused Iran of using the group for propaganda for putting them on Iranian television in appearances in which they "admitted" trespassing in Tehran's waters. They were freed last week by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who called their release a gift to Britain.

Turney, who also sold her story to British broadcaster ITV1, told The Sun that she feared at one point that she would be killed.

"One morning, I heard the noise of wood sawing and nails being hammered near my cell. I couldn't work out what it was. Then a woman came into my cell to measure me up from head to toe with a tape," The Sun quoted Turney as saying.

"She shouted the measurements to a man outside. I was convinced they were making my coffin."

Turney said she asked one Iranian official where her male colleagues were.

"He rubbed the top of my head and said with a smile, 'Oh no, they've gone home. Just you now,"' she said.

At another time, Turney said the same official asked her how she felt about dying for country.

By her fifth day in detention, she said she was told that she could be free within two weeks if she confessed that the crew had intruded into Iranian waters.

[swwils]

I think they should all get thier equivalant to our courtsmartial for the way they sold out the British Navy and the British people.It just seemed to me every time I seen them on TV they looked as if they were at a party rather than a hostage situation.

[thehobman]

The Press Is A fountain Of Information For The
Enemy But We Have To Protect Them. I Think As Long
As They Are Over There They Should Protect Themselfs..They Have All The Ratings And Money.
They Never Have Any Good News On Anything Good
We Do, Only Everything Bad}}}
Because They Are Experts They Hide Behind Freedom Of The Press,,,They Have Killed Many Solders Because Of There Information They Let Out On Everything We Do,,,,If I Was In Charge I Would Tell Them Get Out..Or Go On The Otherside And See
How Long You Will Last...

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

[zootallures2]

14 wankers, then Hijab - the Faye Turney story.

[zootallures2]

Never mind the S e x Pistols, meet the bullocks.

[hypnotoad72]

And yet most other forms of prostitution are illegal.

Facetiousness aside, one thing is certain: Considering how many times the story had changed (e.g. kidnapped - blame Iran, the Brits then exclaim they were guilty - don't blame Iran, then they say they were coerced - go blame Iran again) and that's as tiring as any money-based deal. Now it's "We were treated bad", "We were treated fine and even got to play ping pong and we've got pics to show it!", then "We were treated bad" again. Whatever. If you ask me, all these high priced stories deserve to be in one section of the bookstore: Fiction. People will still buy 'em anyway. (Some people bought coins made from real 9/11 trade tower steel as well. Hey, anybody have any collector coins made from real pieces of Pearl Harbor metal for them to purchase as well?)

Now I sure as heck wouldn't trust Iran, but for better or for worse why all these stupid glory games by a bunch of feckless frat freaks?

[gunnerv1]

Walk a mile in their Moccasins before you cast aspersions. In other words, if you have never capatured at gun point and held as a POW, then shut up. If you want to blame someone, then look at the Royal Navy for starters.

[zootallures2]

Irainain Student Motion Picture Productions Presents - "Conies Go Home!"

Music by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins

[zootallures2]

13 days with out a webcam or mirror - the Arthur Batchelor story.

OUCH!!!

HIGH FIVE!

[zootallures2]

Now do you believe the US pilots when they say they can't tell the British from the enemy?

[barbaraf4]

If Faye Turney believed she was left behind, then how did she account for all the British men sitting around her in the pictures?

[oleander8]

Bad decision by the Ministry of Defense.

[preacherbob1]

swwils, you must be over 60. In the Army I served in - back when "America was the home of the free and the home of the brave', GIs gave the enemy NAME, RANK AND SERIAL NUM,BER. Anymore was forbidden by the Code of Military Justice....and punishable as treason.

Things have changed.

[zootallures2]

$200,000... The Brits may become Irans new Mexicans.

Parts of Faye Turney's story just don't appear to make sense.

Of course, most of us will never know the truth about what happened.

But the question is - who is using who here?

[lochlan-2009]

"It just seemed to me every time I seen them on TV they looked as if they were at a party rather than a hostage situation."
-Posted by swwils

No, they were being tortured, didn't you hear. They looked pretty ruffed up too, with the smirks all over their faces.
There's the answer soldiers, tired of the pennies the armed forces pay you, trespass into Iran and then make up a story and book deal when you get released. Rich and get out of the war early.

[zootallures2]

Well, well, well, United Kingdom....

Our space program is fake, huh? At least Neil Armstrong didn't surrender to the aliens and play golf with them.

Cultural Learnings of America....? Sacha Baron Cohen did have to go to IRAN to find the true America.

And of course Americans sell themselves out as a way of life? Ha ha ha ha HA!

[honest_news]

Every facet of the whole sordid affair is sickening -- from the grotesque propaganda ploy by the Iranians, to the spineless behavior and willful treason of the sailors themselves, to the British Navy pandering to the greed and avarice of these shameless opportunists.

It makes me wonder... although the British have done a superb job fashioning and perpetuating the myth of their "stiff upper lip" and fortitude, have they ever truly exhibited valor?

[toldyouso21]

By allowing soldiers to "tell there stories" and get paid for it--Britain has lost all credibility. Of course the more outrageous the story, the more they get paid for it--and in the midst of a war. America should do the same right? Have London and those who murdered Abeer to share their story?

This is sick--think about all of the people who have been held captive and who have NOT dishonored themselves and the services by going public about it for the tabloids... now, that...coupled with the news about it maybe being a spying mission--leaves me in no doubt that this is not only propaganda, but is being done to undermine the already sensitive situations in that part of the world. Oh well...now the Iranians know that if they catch any more sailors they will tell such tales so why not give them a bit of torture to make it really authentic, instead of letting them play pingpong.

[toldyouso21]

Walk a mile in their Moccasins before you cast aspersions. In other words, if you have never capatured at gun point and held as a POW, then shut up. If you want to blame someone, then look at the Royal Navy for starters.
Posted by gunnerv1 at 07:33 AM : Apr 09, 2007


We don't need to walk a mile in their moccasins or boots or their ballet slippers or anything else to know this sucks a big weenie. They sold out. I am not speaking to their capture and capitulation--but then to have the gall and balls to market it that is beyond tacky and just think if they are lying--it could make Bush's lies about WMD to start the Iraq war--lok like child's play. She thought her fat azz was being measured for a coffin and she was all alone? Yep--she must of thought all her mates sitting around her were some sort of mirage.

[toldyouso21]

If Faye Turney believed she was left behind, then how did she account for all the British men sitting around her in the pictures?
Posted by Barbaraf4 at 08:08 AM : Apr 09, 2007


Her failure to get her lies straight before telling her "story" begins to explain her and the rest of the crews "sound judgement" about the entire incident. Maybe next time Britian wants to spy on Iran, they will not send kids who want to be on 'American Idol' and will send real soldiers instead--you know, the kind that either would rather than die before dishonor or at least know how to give Name, rank and serial number and no matter the circumstances realize the gravity of the situation does not call for grinning photo ops---no matter what the captors want. I think they are the only cheshire cat grinning captives in the war so far.

[toldyouso21]

The US lady soldier had many bones broken in her body that was exploited by the press. That was not worth any amount of money. She may be paralyzed now.
Posted by billysmith6 at 08:45 AM : Apr 09, 2007


Nope Jessica is fine, she got rid of her boyfriend, found another had a baby and may even marry this guy plus she made tons of money--we know at least 3200 American soldiers and over 70 journalists that will never get to tell their side and many suffered unspeakable horrors before dying.

[cathaleen]

Montgomery and Churchhill must be spinning in their graves.

[ramos937]

People like Tommy Franks, Oliver North, etc. can write about their war experiences and make money off of them but this lady cannot?

She never asked to be captured or mentally abused which she was. If she can make a few bucks off the experience, why not? On the salaries military enlisted make she most likely can use the funds for living expenses.

Keep the above types from making money off their military experiences and then you can crtitize her.

[briannorwood]

I'm sorry but I gotta believe these Brit soldiers were spineless and cowardly. A disgrace.

[omega39-2009]

Why are so many of you mad at the British soldiers? I remember at the start of Bush's term, when a Chinese aircraft ran in to one of our spy planes, rather than ditching into the ocean, the crew turned the plane over to the Chinese. They were all given medals for their actions and Bush sponsored the Chinese in to the WTO for all their troubles. What great Americans.

[obiquital]

Some of you people are unbelievable. When they are captured by the Iranians and they tell one story while in Iranian custody then you believe it. If they tell another story when they are free you dismiss it as propaganda? People have been capturing enemy soldiers and using them as propaganda tools for as long as there has been war. Are you really that naive as to think that their stories told while in captivity are the truth?
As for the pictures of her with the other captives, they could have been taken any time within those 2 weeks. One scenario is the pictures were taken when they first were captured then they were split up and a few days into it she was told that she was the only one there now. OR they were taken after she was forced to write the letter. Your agenda is getting in the way of your objectivity.

[Razzl]

One of the facts of our modern political life is that virtually all conflicts which the US has involved itself in since the end of WWII have been ill-advised, innapropriate, or illegal misadventures which bring no honor to the dead and guarantee endless pain and disgrace for the soldiers and their families. This is one reason why military families need to speak up before and during the runup to war rather than try to silence the rest of the citizenry who are doing their duty as citizens to stop it. In the case of Iraq the same applies to our British allies, whose government went to war in spite of the near-universal opposition of the citizenry. The families of the dead need to be willing to focus blame where blame is due and not on the unimportant sideshows that a failed military venture inevitably generate...

[gunnerv1]

obiquital- Thanks for explaining it to the knukleheads. Also, if I had stayed in the Military for 30 years rather than the 21 years that I did, I would be making right about $70k as a Senior Enlisted and thats not including Housing, Sea pay or Hostile Fire (combat) pay, with that added I would be just under $90k a year. Don't forget that when I enlisted, (1964) an E-2 would be taking home less than $100.00 a month. We've come along way baby, and I belive we deserved every dam* penny too!

[stanmc5]

I think it%u2019s good the stories come out as from reading the general publics comments many are unaware of the true details.
Two of the five Royal Marines did not confess to anything and yet the whole group is tarred with the same brush. The Iranian propaganda machine worked at full speed and now we have the chance to correct the factual errors of this story.

[ajaxrose1]

Hey, in case no one knows it, sailors don't make that much money and they sure aren't going to get anything else from all that trauma. They might get some kind of medal from their government, and that's all well and good, but it won't put a kid through college or pay for counseling over the years. If it was me I'd sell my story, too, and to heck and gone with what anybody thought, they weren't there. You KNOW someone is going to write it up and make some kind of movie or something and they'll make $ out of the deal. This way at least the sailors themselves get something out of it and the stories will be more accurate. If the rest of the world doesn't approve, well, that's the rest of the world's problem not the sailors.

[gunnerv1]

Yes we do make that kind of money, don't belive me just look up Military Pay Scales on the web. I have no reason to lie to you. Don't forget, I was senior enlisted. (juniors aren't doing too bad either)

[gunnerv1]

In Case no one knows, The Brit Gov. Revoked permission for them to sell their stories

[nishaboston]

I am almost 100% certain these soldiers were in Iranian water and they were treated far better them most hostages. It makes me sick to my stomach that soldiers are dying and being injured fighting in Iraq. Most of them come back home with NOTHING yet these people get to sell their stories for six figures? That is not fair and it is very disgusting. They were not released for less then a week and they already sold their stories once again it is disgusting!!!!

[gramto7]

According to the military pay scales a 20-year E-8 would be getting $4,161.30. As a widow of a 21-year USAF MSGT (ret), I am getting the shaft. I get $780 a month, no where near 60% of the $4,161.30 listed. I do realize I only get a percentage of his retiree pay, but retirees in general are getting shafted.

[inventagod]

Hmmm, smells like Bu$hflipflop...

[Syndicate]

The story will be told and fortunes made but the people who suffered through the ordeal will get nothing. I would have liked to have seen them negotiate huge sums and donate it to the families of the dead and injured. Perhaps the British government could collect fees for these stories and use it to help their military personel. I just hate to see the studios or book people or tv stations make a fortune and screw the little guy.

[toldyouso21]

righto. guess the propaganda ploy was NOT working in the favor of the soldiers or the UK government, eh, mates?

[toldyouso21]

She never asked to be captured or mentally abused which she was. If she can make a few bucks off the experience, why not? On the salaries military enlisted make she most likely can use the funds for living expenses.

Keep the above types from making money off their military experiences and then you can crtitize her.
Posted by ramos937 at 09:44 AM : Apr 09, 2007


books AFTER service is through not during...it is bad for morale and encourages soldiers to not follow rules but to do other things just to have a "story" later. maybe do things that would jeopardize their mission or get them or us or someone else killed. THINK!!! It is only painful the first couple of times you do it.

[toldyouso21]

think it%u2019s good the stories come out as from reading the general publics comments many are unaware of the true details. Posted by stanmc5 at 12:20 PM : Apr 09, 2007



Silly, silly boy. Whatever makes you think you are now getting the "true details"? How do you know you are not just getting great copy to sell a book? We will never know the truth--especially if it involved spying or other things that could embarrass the UK or undermine something they are doing. The crew would never have been allowed to tell their story without special strings attached. The military only let them for propaganda and now have stopped because it BACKFIRED.

[toldyouso21]

As for the pictures of her with the other captives, they could have been taken any time within those 2 weeks. One scenario is the pictures were taken when they first were captured then they were split up and a few days into it she was told that she was the only one there now. OR they were taken after she was forced to write the letter. .
Posted by obiquital at 10:35 AM : Apr 09, 2007

the British news released the interview with the troops before they were captured, who admitted that one of their goals was to spy on Iran. How does that fit into the "poor little us, we can't stop grinning with fear" scenario you want to believe?

[toldyouso21]

Yes we do make that kind of money, don't belive me just look up Military Pay Scales on the web. I have no reason to lie to you. Don't forget, I was senior enlisted. (juniors aren't doing too bad either)
Posted by gunnerv1 at 01:12 PM : Apr 09, 2007


Senior enlisted what? what exactly was your rank and in what branch?

[toldyouso21]

SHAME--used as a propaganda tool--BY BOTH COUNTRIES. Better be glad they did not run afoul of us, we would have waterboarded them, did more than flick a neck (maybe electrodes on those genitals or dogs barking in their face while they crouched) put them in stress positions and made them stay awake listening to loud music with bright lights on--and THAT would be on a light day---if we really did not like them, we might let a military contractor kill them or...perhaps send them Ethiopia or elsewhere for some true US LOve--and we would never, ever show them on tv, because we would never admit that we had them. If we ever let them go, we would take them maybe to Wales or the mountains in France and let them find their own way home and then...we would deny everything. (all sarcasm)

If that is the only psychological torture they underwent, then our version is still worse by all accounts.

[toldyouso21]

Some of the footage, briefly aired on Iran's state-run Arabic satellite TV channel Al-Alam, also showed crew members watching soccer on TV and eating at a long table decorated with flowers. The crew members could be heard laughing and chatting.

At a news conference Friday, Lt. Felix Carman, who was in charge of the crew, said the sailors and marines were allowed to socialize only for the benefit of the Iranian media.

And yet when the cameras rolled they were so relaxed, that they grinned, laughed and chatted easily--ahhhhhh the resilience of youth!!!!! not. They want to be heros not zeros so they are now trying to make up stories--they had a grand ol' time and there are just too many pictures to prove it--you'd think that the smiles would at least look a bit forced or contrived--but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. great actors? maybe. But the question is which part is the act? Now or Then?

[gaye5]

Why can't they sell their stories and help make up for the horror that they went through, surely if criminals can then these more deserving people should be able too.

[gunnerv1]

toldyouso: E-8 GMCS Gunner's Mate Chief Senior, US Navy 12/9/64-4/31/86

[stick130]

Why should they not be allowed to make a few bucks off the war? Cheney is making millions off the war. They served they deserve everything they can can out of this War started by Bush's Lies.

[zootallures2]

Faye Turney is the only one getting money and oddly the one who was filmed for TV prior to going on the little boat tour into Iranian water.