Leaving aside the question of payment, which clearly discredits the UK military, I am concerned about the sabre-rattling of our colonial cousins. It is this blind, ignorant aggression that has made the world a lot less safe (yes, despite what you hear on CNN and Fox News the world beyond the US borders has deteriorated thanks to US global policing efforts). We can debate the merits of a RIB standing up to Iranian attack and the needless loss of life, however despite the irresponsible comments over the last 6 months from a discredited Bush Administration, we are not at war with Iran. I appreciate that the US is insecure enough to need to send in heavy forces however not sure that the UK would want to go to war on this. Perhaps the US could first properly address the mistakes it has made in the first Gulf war, and the mess it has created in Iraq and Afghanistan. I don't relish another opportunity for ill-trained, trigger happy US forces to hide behind the friendly fire excuse.

Jamie, London,

Faye Turney should ashamed of herself and banned from being a soldier for the rest of her life, she is trying to make a pile of money "for her daughter" yeah right! as she poses for "fashionable" pictures for the sun newspaper, it's actually disgusting! She is obviously only in the navy to prove something to her ego although she has a very young child. Now she will use a story where NOTHING happened to her to become a "celebrity".. Absolutely horrendous!! People from Irak please forgive the few among us who are supporting your cause and are totally against the war as we see it as illegal!

ka, london,

Just how out of touch with its people can a government be? Did it not occur to anyone involved in this ridiculous PR debacle that maybe, just maybe, the public at large would it find it distasteful and embarassing to our global reputation (not that we have much of an international reputation left it seems).

David, Ormskirk, England

The Royal Navy and RMS have now lost my respect and I am sure the honour of the Navy as the Senior Service is damaged for good. I am Irish and my respect was hard won and based on the professionalism shown in the past by Britians armed forces. It's gone now. I just can't see the Americans behaving like this in a similar situation.

Laura , Dublin ,

Totally obscene and she should be ashamed of herself

Gary Angell, Poitiers, France

In the 1st Gulf War, while eating breakfast, I heard an explosion far off in the distance. If I were to jazz it up quite a bit and use the correct buzz words "I need people to know"; "All hell broke loose" and "I thought my time had come", would the Times be interested in paying me a 100 grand for exclusive rights?

John macKinnon, Lincoln, England

For Service personnel to make a personal gain for selling their stories is an absolute disgrace. If the MoD want them to tell their stories, fine, but if the media want to pay then pay into a military charity not to serving individuals. If any of the individuals working with me sell their WORK stories for personal gain then I would be the first to suggest that they find alternative employment.

Clive, Munich,

So do we all agree on this? - Faye Turney needs to diet.

If she were a few pounds lighter, the RIB could have outrun the Iranians and this whole fiasco would have been avoided.

Bob Cook, London, UK

From the photos on this canadian site - http://www.globalresearch.ca - the 15 captives seem to have had the time of their lives in Iran. I think they should be allowed to tell their story. You know what? I was looking hard into the pictures to find the solitary confinement, stone walls and pile of blankets brits mentioned but all I saw were redwood chairs, Kebab and luxury. I thought even rich americanos cannot afford anything like this! I mean just look at Guantanamo. I just heard the food is so bad there that the residents are fed with tubes through their noses. Still, too bad that Iranians were under a 30 year sanction and couldn't issue Armani suites to the sailors . In my opinion though even without the sanction, after overthrow of Mosadegh in 1953, the iranian oil was bought by britain for just under a dollar per barrel, right under the nose of shah and frankly a nation stripped of its pelt like that could not afford designer suits.

julie, peking, China

Well I've just viewed another episode in the "Brits on Vacation" reality show. I was holding out hope that some evidence of mental torture was going to come out but I'm sadly mistaken. I think the world's gut instinct of what really happened, (or didn't happen), is correct. What confounds me is how shamelessly these soldiers continue to act even as they try to profit from their "holiday". The only thing left to do now is to award the British equivalent of the Purple Heart to the ping pong players for carpul tunnel syndromme...disgusting

bill s, haverhill, Mass.

I love my friends the English. Pretty upset over this episode however. What really upset me this weekend was watching a prize fight from Wales and listening to the fans boo unmecrifully the U.S. National Anthem. It made me quite sick. We English speaking countries, i.e. USA, Great Britan, Canada, Australia must stick together and not be dismayed. Remember radical Islam isthe enemy. Let's weed them out before it's to late. God bless the UK the Aussies and the USA!!

J dugan, Philadelphia, PA USA

I think most of the UK are filled with disgust at the soldiers selling their stories to the media. I am no longer pround to be British and join the rest of the world in condeming our cowardly soliers who have sold their souls.Both they and the Navy should be ashamed at what they have done. We can no longer be pround of our armed forces. Tell your story but do not expect sympathy and respect if you sell your story.How can they accept money when their fellow servicemen have died in this pointless war. I do hope by accepting this blood money that they all pay dearly for it in their future lives. I would hope that when they rejoin their units that they will be given a hard time by other fellow soldiers and sailors. What has this once pround country come to.

David Green, Chester, UK

TO RICHARD OATS; PLYMOUTH

TO QUOTE YOU; When you need us, we will be your most loyal and effective allies on the planet.
I'M sure that you are serious about this and it is nice to find one Brit would if necessary come to our aid.

But;on the basis of the British Newspapers and particularly the comments of individuals ,I'am afraid that the vast majority of Brits would gladly join the attacking force.

Thank you

Saladin, Greenwich,

Since she was talking through a hole in her neck about the "suffering" endured, one wonders how much Ms Turney might have made from a beheading story - then she would REALLY have been talking through a hole in her neck!!
Oddly, we don't see many beheading stories these days - perhaps the CIA and MI6 feel they've lost the shock-and-awe appeal.

dr john, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Attention! The Ministry of Defeat of the British Government has spoken. Who are YOU to question their authority. Join the Regiment for Kidnapped Tales or shut up. This is a recorded message from Tony standin for Prime Minister also with a defeat book nearing completion. Attention!

Robert Nickisson, Gorokan, Australia

What I do not understand is who actually made the decision for the go ahead to be able to let them do this..I served under JB ( First Sea Lord ) in his frist Command (HMS Phoebe 84-86 ) did he not have a say in this? ...I would think that knowing he Captained the best,happiest and most efficient towed arrayed Leander and has reached number one mateloe ...nah dont thinkso ...he must be livid !!!

COLIN, portland, dorset

Well , rather be a prisoner of Iran. Preferable to play table tennis than be tortured in Guantanamo.

Bill Gray, Birmingham, uk

Jutland 1916 and how Jack Cornwell (16 years old) won his VC. The epitaph on his memorial stone : "It is not wealth or ancestry, but honourable conduct and a noble disposition, that maketh men great". The same Cornwell that the scout movement's highest award for courage is named after! (Google it).
Or Capt Fegan on the Jervis Bay (armed merchantman) engaging the Admiral Scheer (German pocket battleship) to allow most of convoy HX84 to escape?

Bloody hell!
These people are a disgrace to the uniform they wear! I suggest they all be given a DVD copy of Jeremy Clarkson's recent programme "The Greatest Raid of All" detailing the St Nazaire raid by Combined Ops (Commandos, Navy, Army) in 1942.
They could listen, shamefacedly, to the 80 yr old surviving veterans and see and hear quiet, solid, stoic heroism in human form.

Then they could go away in shame, take off the uniforms they have disgraced and get the hell out of the armed forces, preferably without earning Judas money!

Peter Jones, Caernarfon, Wales UK

To: dr venables preller, Warminster, UK
Philosopher John Stuart Mill on Freedom:
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling that thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

Peter Jones, Caernarfon, Wales UK

A final thought: had those Royal Marines been US Marines, we would have had to change our proud cry of "Semper Fi" to "Simper and Cry"

And you know we're not about to do that.

James, Norwich, England

I think it is understandable that soldiers who earn between 20 and 40 thousand pounds a year would be tempted to sell their stories to the press (especially when the MoD was encouraging them to do so). Would you do the job that these men and women do for that wage?

And to the many Americans who express outrage and disgust: Please do not tell us about honour during wartime. What about Guantanamo Bay and Abu Graib?

Lynn, Düsseldorf,

One final word: Since L/S Turney is so obviously grossly overweight and is so clearly unfit for real military duty, why was she on the RIB in the first place?. I will bet my last buck that she did not board the ship to be inspected since it is highly unlikely that she could have hauled all that weight up a boarding ladder so I ask again, "Why was she in the RIB in the first place?"

Was this a TV PR stunt that backfired because the skipper was looking at the camera rather than the situation radar?

To be fair, let's ask this: how many suspect ships had she boarded before that last one?

I'm guessing ZERO...What's your guess...

James, Norwich, England

Before we get into the rights and wrongs of selling the story. A few things need to be cleared up.

1. Why was the Cornwall so far away? From a RIB’s point of view she was almost over the horizon. What was the command doing. Being professional with the media team they were carrying on board? Radar I presume didn’t see the gunboats or project the track to intercept.
2. I believe “Name, rank and official number is the only requirement. Even if you subscribe to the position that with modern warfare being so fluid, you only need hold out for 24 hours. After which time the situation will have changed enough to make any information you have irrelevant. As for unit information most of it is contained in Janes.

I believe that to honor any of these individuals would be absolutely wrong. A well done to the two who held firm. The rest should get there two weeks leave and be returned to their unit (Cornwall) to get on with what they are supposed to be doing. Being Service Personnel.

I

Servin Member, Plymouth,

it is a disgrace that the MOD have allowed these people to sell their stories for money,when every day their counterparts in IRAQ and other places are facing a REAL enemy and losing their lives- they, who have lost their lives,now dont have the luxury of selling their story.all i can say on the matter is,that when you join any of the forces you must expect to the possibility of facing a conflict situation.as well as that-i thought that you had to sign the OFFICAL SECRETS ACT.
to conclude i will add -SHAME ON THEM!!!

JAMES, DERRY, N. IRELAND

A real silly woman- got herself killed. Not clever- well they probably killed her, you missed that bit out.
You only get one life- don't copy Odette, they will just kill you for it!

Richard, London, UK

Whether they believed they were about to die or not, the point is they were in the armed forces - it comes with the job. Sadly, L/S Turney is a great argument for not having women in the front line. I thought Britain was at rock bottom already, but it's always possible to lower standards further it would seem.

Andy, Whitchurch,

Brilliant tactics by the MOD and all concerned - allow such a ridiculour furor to develop over what really is a comparatively minor skirmish, that no-one now even remembers Iran and they can take no political advantage from it!

Bill Atkins, Rehoboth Beach, USA

Used as pawns in a deadly game and made it back? Well done! Make some money and use it as you wish. After all the government won't look after you or your family. Don't let the fake morality get you down.

G Paterson, Stirlingshire, UK

"It may be better to be a live lamb than a dead lion,
but it is better still to be a live lion... and usually easier"

Extra points to anyone who knows from whence that quote originated.

Tom, Deltona, Florida USA

"The Few, The Proud, The Marines", they say in this country. Best of the Best.

My farm butcher died two years ago. A man I knew intimately for 30 years. Or thought I did. At his funeral, I was surprised by two Marines in dress uniform. I didn't even know he was in the service. Turned out he had the Silver Star for single-handedly defeating a large Japanese charge in the S. Pacific, killing more than 50 Japs in the process.

Sell his story? He never spoke a word to his friends!

We live in different times. The word Character seems to have left the lexicon. It bodes poorly for the future of the West. For shame.

Bob B., Hansville, Washington, USA

Do not forget for a second that there are more than enough people in power in Iran that would have liked nothing more then to put them in front of the camera and slice off their heads. They were not front-line troops they were mostly young people in a very stressful situation that they could not have imagined. This is just an isolated incident that should just be forgotten.

As for the book deals, the UK seems to have as many lawyers and politicians running the military as we do. More concerned with style than substance.

All the people that thought they should have fought to the death; what are you still doing here. There are planes leaving for Iraq every hour and there is still that big reward for Bin Laden. Put your anger to good use.

MH, Phoenix, US/Arizona

I have been so discouraged by these recent events, all of them. From the failure to defend their space, to the lame way the British Gov't rolled over to Iran's madmen. Now this. Words cannot do justice to the loss of British face.

That said, I DO find this encouraging: reading through all these comments only now do I see the British I recognize. And what I see them saying is that they have finally, finally, had enough of this nonsense. If it takes their absolute humiliation to remember who they are and remind them of their proud heritage, perhaps it is worth it.

Welcome back, Brits. We thought we'd lost you for a while.

Kathy from Austin, Texas, USA

A real woman was the French one Odette resistance WW11
finger and toe-nails torn out by the Gestapo, gave name rank and number. Next time the English sneer at the French think of Odette and the Maquis.

John Wood-cowling, Corby, UK

It was a terrible decision to allow the soldiers to sell their stories. Not only does it discredit their accounts both domestically and internationally, it may create bitterness for soldiers in similarly 'exceptional' circumstances who are not granted permission, simply because their stories are less high profile. Another point is that soldiers now have a financial incentive to get into scandalous and 'media friendly' situations with a view to later sell their stories. Clearly this is both a dangerous and undesirable outcome.

Howard, Cambridge, UK

I don't think Faye should share her money with the others. As a woman in a society that still pays women less, she will need the cash more than the others. Let the men share their story money if they wish. But Faye is in a different situation, and because of the discirimination against women throughout the world, she has a more marketable story and a better chance to even up the odds for herself.

EHawthorne, Ottawa, Canada

How sad am I after this debacle. Great Britain I do not think so.
We give in to these people all the time, it is about time we got them out of our country.
Iam not racist,I do not mind them in their own countries. I will even visit them on holiday and they can visit my country as long as they go back again . Rest asured they do not want us in theirs.
Third of May vote labour only if it starts with B and ends with a P.

Roy, Falkirk, Scotand

Virginia McKenna in the film "Carve Her Name With Pride" brilliantly portrayed the story of Violette Szabo a British Secret Service agent brutally tortured and executed by the Gestapo at Revensbruck in 1945. In a chilling mirror image of the recent interregation of Faye Turney her German Captors asked "What will become of your child if you die"? But Brave Violette paid the ultimate price. I am sure that had she have survived, she would never have sold her soul as Faye turney, and the others have done. That is why we can "Carve Her Name With Pride". It may be that when they return to active service they will regret this decision by the response they receive from other comrades in arms. Who will be looking on in disgust.

Neil Botham, Chesterfield, UK

A tawdry tale. The price of dishonour.

Edward Barkes, Sydney, Australia

Frogs in a slowly heating pot - that is what that soft natured West has become. For too long we have had such a good quality of life and we have become soft. There has always been an answer to every problem - just like a junior school maths test.

Trouble is, we live in a world where progress is viewed and measured very differently by some cultures. Those cultures love the good life of the West, but like a spoilt child who hasn't earned the toy from mummy and daddy, they behaive like it is expected, and what's more, they behaive like it is their god's will, and hence their presence is justified according to their faith.

At what point does the West stand up and stop being bullied from within by the pro human rights legals systems and minority rights campaigners. At what point does it stand up to countries like Iran? What about when they develop nuclear weapons? Probably not. After all, when Nth Korea developed these weapons, the West still didn't stand up to them...pathetic.

Craig, Sydney, Australia

As an American who has been proud of his English ancestry I am disheartened by this sorry episode. Here's a thought...you keep Gwynneth Paltrow and we'll get more independent, self-reliant Brits - who get what's going on with the Islamic takeover of the West - to move here to help with what is likely to be the last stand. Maybe help hold the line against the leftist takeover here, before it's too late.

One other small point. To those enablers of dereliction who take the line that the 15 should not have fought back 'because we're not at war with Iran.' The US is not at war with, let's say, Peru, but if the Peruvian navy surrounds an American vessel in international waters and attempts to sieze said vessel, that would constitue, it seems, an act of piracy, and there will very likely be gunfire.

J Osborne, Chattanooga, USA

My God...I can,t believe all the comments on this board. These were young and inexperienced people, scared and of course afraid to die.Dying needlessly for your country might make a lot of the American armchair critics happy but what purpose would it serve. Then to label people cowards without even having the slightest idea of what they went through is pathetic. This could have ended in war with, many lives lost . Thank God it did not. As to selling their stories...why not..we will read it..its because of the public, be them English or American that there is a market for these types of stories.
The fact that there are lots of comments on here obviously means that there is a great deal of interest.
With regards to all Americans who seem to want to label a whole country cowards because of the actions of a few, Is , quite strange.
I am not in the least bit ashamed of my country because of this, there are far worse things going on in society to ashamed of.

ANTHONY HENRY, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

If the MoD's intent in letting these soldiers sell their story was to get some free anti-Iranian propaganda in the press, it has sadly backfired.

I don't think anyone will believe these soldiers anymore. There will always be the suspicion that they made up the most horrific stories just to make for good copy, in exchange for the money they got.

And that is the way it is starting to sound with the woman talking about how she was so afraid she was "being measured for a coffin". This really, really does not sound like something a soldier would say, not when these same people are shown on video smoking, playing ping pong, watching football on TV, praising their captors, admitting they were in Iranian waters.

I would like to believe the official British version of events, but I am starting to think perhaps these guys really were in Iranian waters. Why else would the MoD be desperate enough to encourage them to sell their stories to the tabloids?

Dave M, Chicago, US

I read with dismay the bile and venom spewed out by Americans at our young sailors in particular and at Britain in general.
I would suggest they stop if they want UK to remain as an ally. Remember, they are our sons and daughters who join the Armed Services and we do not appreciate the nasty comments made by some US citizens.
Our troops are dying in Iraq, some of them at the hands of inadequately trained US soldiers in a war in which only US businesses are profitting (and big time).
If you Americans are so appalled by UK, why not insist that our discredited Prime Minister is not awarded his Congressional Medal of Honour. It is he who is responsible for so much that is wrong with Britain today, not these young servicemen.

Tricia, E. Sussex, UK,

i was in submarines 1956 spying on the Soviet Union Murmansk official secrets act it was scary. If you talked you went to gaol one guy did tried in camera.
i thought the "Lady" sailor was hilarious they stripped me I thought I was going to be raped! Give us a break Doll. then "I heard hammer and nails they measured me I thought they were making my coffin! better than the Simpson's as an old Blue jacket I know what the sailor's are going to call her Coffin Kate?
lked the Bogart touch cigarette in mouth here's looking at you kid, £100,000 nice one.

John Wood-cowling, Corby, UK

If there really is actually going to be money exchanged for "telling their story" to the media ... I think the only ones worth recieving any money should be the two (of the 15) who stood firm and did not say (assuming it was not the truth) that they were in Iranian waters.

The other 13 shouldn't be worth any money --- as their actions were a bit cowardice. If these 13 particular people make any money they should give it to charity -- or to the families/children to members of the British military who have lost their life throughout the last several years of this quagmire.

Penny , Clinton, New Jersey, U.S.

Richard Oats,Plymouth,The USA and UK back each other,US is and will always be grateful for the UK/US alliance.After the UN and EU failed your call for Iran15 hostage assistance,the USA did help to repatriate that Iranian so called "diplomat" that was in Iraq/US custody. SOME of the Iran15 hostages did not conduct themselves correctly,those few have stained the honour and professionalism of the UK military forces.Those FEW collaborators within the Iran15 hostage group are a small,"sorry " collection of crass losers.Let the Iran15 make tabloid tell all money,they've already sold integrity for Iranian smokes,a head scarf,take home pressies, cheap suits and a pats on the head from Iran's president for the Iran15 performance in the Iranian propaganda media show.The Iran15 mastered sit,down,rollover and speak .

mary kirk, sarasota, fl usa

Warriors, which is what these young people are supposed to be, used to put death before dishonour
Warrior is the job.
All this group have done is show our enemies that we have some in the ranks who are afraid and fear is a weakness to be exploited
Fear of death is ,sadly , often the sign of a decadent civilisation.
When I was in the mob we signed the official secrets act and so there would have been no chance of the story coming out as the Navy is trying to exploit as an excuse.
Bring back Mad Mitch or his like to our flagging forces, he and his men would have shot first and asked questions later regardless of the size of the opponents guns.
This is a disgrace to all those who risk their lives for us on low pay and to the proud tradition of those real warriors who went before .
To add material gain to the weakness we show is about as far as we can fall from those proud people who defended us in the past

Crichton Miller, Rugby,

Sounds like the sailors and marines are busy spinning their disgrace into a tale of heroism. Sorry, their actions have told the story, one of disgrace to a great nation.

George Ridler, Stockton, United States/California

Major General Sir Patrick Cordingly, a senior commander during the 1991 Gulf War, told BBC radio. "I hope they give all the money to charity."

What hypocriscy,..nothing shows up Britain more in a bad light than the whinging bleating Tory toffs of middle-class England and generals going balistic and red with rage,..when they see the lower ranks making more money than them.
One only has to witness their middle-class spitefulness when women sell their womb or eggs to help childless couples.
Nothing worse than the ratings and deck-hands getting more than the armchair blue-rinse generals

ABrown, London,

The left think that surrender is an option to everything.

Danny Toren, Sydney, Australia

Watching the media coverage of the return of these soldiers has been more like watching the return of the Great British gold medal winning team of surrender monkeys returning from the white flag Olympics.

They have nothing to be proud of and should not be parading in front of the cameras, punching the air under the misguided impression that they are being bathed glory.

What ever happened to name, rank and number? Has this been replaced by,” yes please I’ll have two sugars” and “sure, I will say what ever you want if you allow me to chain smoke your cigarettes while I’m here”.

Get back to work!!!!!!!!!!

andy, inverness,

It is easy to condemn the actions of these soldiers, from a warm home, behind a computer screen. But think what you would do? In my opinion, there is no point in dying for the sake of courage, when heavily outnumbered and outgunned - it's just a waste. These troops safeguard us and our lifestyles full-time, yet some comments here are less than grateful for the risks they face in the course of duty. Who are we to question their bravery? You can only truly know what you would do with a gun pointed at you, when it happens - which, for the majority of people here, it has not. How can you blame the troops for selling their stories? It's hard to say "no" to an easy £100,000 and weeks off work, after all. Could you do that? The fault is with those at the top, who have permitted this to happen.

Julian, London, England

One should look to the Senior Military Staff and ask why they are allowing this? When will they speak out, or are they just puppets of the Government?

This is just another death-knell for the Armed Forces, the last bastion of what is truly British and this Government will do whatever necessary to destroy this great institution, just as they have with the Police, Teachers, Doctors and ever other one.

The problem is we have compliant Senior Officers who no longer have the guts, just like the hostages, to stand up for what is right. It is they who should be held to task, not these Junior Ranks who are mere pawns in this unsavoury charade.

These Senior Officers by their silence and lack of action do nothing but degrade the Services and Country they serve, it is they who need to win the far more important battle here at home. They have allowed the forces to be eroded, slashed in strength, under-funded, poorly equiped and standards lowered for political correctness without a whimper

D.L.Richardson, Oakham, England

This whole episode has been deeply inglorious from start to finish for the British military and sets some bad precedents.

1) The navy allowed this patrol to be ambushed in conditions were fighting back was not an option.
2) Most of the naval and army personnel concerned, including two officers, showed weakness in allowing themselves to be displayed making "confessions" and apparently enjoying themselves. Understandable, perhaps, like running away in action but weakness nevertheless.
3) A senior military spokesman has lauded their behaviour as dignified and, in effect, exemplary, thus setting a standard for future captives.
4) The Ministry of Defence has allowed the inglorious former captives to sell their story and so is telling other soldiers and sailors to sing to your capturer's hymn sheet and make money out of it.

Tim York, Lasne , Belgium

Ok lets have a different view, get the press to print/broadcast the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. then perhaps fully informed people can critisise when they are in possetion of the facts.
Whould any critic stand with 14 other men armed with hand gunsand fight 5 boat loads of men armed with heavy weapons? Lets not forget that the UK is NOT at war with Iran. I think not

Hagar-T-H, Ockendon, Essex

I do not call having your moisturiser unexpectedly confiscated an international act of bravery beyond the call of duty. These personnel look utterly limp, bemused and deeply humiliated by an astute Iranian government. A total shambles.

Agony...

Geordie Kidston, London, UK

I look forward to them paying back (to the taxpayer) the cost of their training.

Ken Wood, Fleet,

A great ploy by the government to let the tabloids lose and get free propoganda against Iran..

Hamad lone, Thornton Heath, England

I bet most of these comments from people who vote for the Tory party. What ever happened to the 'Free-market economy'. I think they should hold out longer for more money- get Max Clifford - and fast!

Jane Olson, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

“Miss Moneypenny? Please send in Mr. Bond”.

“Sir? He’s acting a bit strange. I’ve pinched his bottom and he’s threatened to sue for sexual harassment.”

Bond enters M’s office, impeccably stiff in his pitch tuxedo, sits and fixes his unwavering doe eyes on M.

“Bond, I have a particularly tricky mission for you.”

“I’m ready for anything, Sir.”

“You’re to infiltrate Iranian lines and find out why they’re laughing at us. Are you still using that antiquated Beretta, Bond?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Here, give it up, lad. Use this. Move up with the times.” M says gruffly and hands him a rolled bundle.

Bond squints, unfurling the weapon. “A white flag, Sir?”

“Don’t be afraid to whip it out for God and country lad, as if your life depended on it.”

Bond nods and stands, As he turns for the door, M calls again. “Oh, double 07?”

“Yes, Sir?”

“Remember. You have a license to surrender. Don’t be afraid to use it.”

“No, Sir.”

“And one more thing, James.”

“Yes?”

“Leave the book deals to Fleming.”

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

"The worst moment was when they cut the third choice of dessert.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

Rule Britannia, Britannia waives the rules!

LH, Leicester, England

Hugo, Copenhagen, Denmark

The fifteen sailors should have held out longer before they surrendered to the British media. It should have been “name, rank and serial number only” until the offer was raised to a million pounds. To crack the first time they waved a quarter of a million pounds in their direction, was cowardice in the face of the press. It was obvious that The Sun was bluffing and would not dare risk a full scale bidding confrontation with the Mirror. The commander of HMS Cornwall should have kept a helicopter flying overhead shouting “Ask for more cash” and our servicemen should have been better trained to cope with this crisis. You can see from the smiles on their faces as they counted their money that all this talk about “Intense pressure from the media” was not true. I don’t believe Faye Turney writing in The Sun today that she was “stripped to her knickers and afraid of being raped” - Sun journalists don’t do that sort of thing. She should have held out for half a million quid before caving in.

Bob Cook, London, UK

First of all, let me thank Britain for her sacrifice in this war on terror. We Americans appreciate y'all standing by us. I salute you. Let me encourage you 'cross the pond, that just because these people acted in such a way...doesn't mean all is lost. I'm confident that plenty of you wouldn't act in such a way. Sometimes things hafta get worse before they get better.
May God bless you.

Nethaniel , Houston, Texas

What a disgraceful exhibition these spineless so called marines displayed. One shudders when thinking of all those brave resistance fighters in europe who met torturous and horrifying deaths at then hands of the gestapo without revealing anything.As if looking though you had won the lottery while in captivty was not bad enough now they will cash in on their stories.Perhaps they knew something we didn't!

Oliver, coquitlam,

To the Brits, we are glad those kidnapped are back safe and at home. They didn't have what they needed to really do anything different, and that fight can be picked at a more proper time. The Iranians are playing us both as we are easy marks with our conventional morals and overly self imposed authoritative supervison which reduces the kind of whileyness we really need. Today the Iranians, eyeing the third carrier on the way, gave Al Sader marching orders to create another distraction in Iraq to tie us all up saying we are the cause of all the growing violence, which we all know is really being fueled by Iran. Suddenly they raise the spectre of continuing nuclear negotiations to further delay us. Its all too obvious and we can't lay the blame on the small raft of a few almost unarmed sailors and marines to take on single handed the gunboats of such a whiley regieme. So don't focus your energy on the captives as its just another Iranian trick. We need to get back to busines

Brian, Los Angeles,

So nice to have Tonie the Lap Dog of bush to make sleezy bush look good. Now the "heros" scramble for the money. And no one inserted anything into their anuses, held them underwater, drugged them, electrocuted them, forced them to have sex with each other, or any of the American techniques we have learned so much about of late. Isn't it strange that it took so little coersion to get them to flip?? I wonder what the American interrogators could have gotten them to confess with their "harsh" techniques?? One can only wonder! P.S. Uncharted waters are tricky, best to explore closer to home. TGW

Thomas, Katama, U.S.A.

First of all... I wouldn't give an interview for money on such a matter to begin with. There is just something wrong and sleazy about profiting from being a victim. And if I did give an interview it sure as hell wouldn't be with the liberal, mainstream media outlets. The liberal media does everything it can to make the military look bad and I'm sure they would twist something about this story. As for the tabloids, they are the personification of sleaze and I wouldn't urinate on their heads if their hair were on fire. Just wait and see... the tabs will find some twist to make your troops look like they did something wrong. If not I will be pleasantly surprised. As for the bloke above that reminds us Americans that they (the Brittish) are our biggest allies... most of us here in the United States know that and appreciate it.

Eski, Oak Harbor, Washington, U.S.A.

Sadly it's the way the world has gone. Anything to make a quick buck (or in this case quid).
I have total respect for the vast majority of army/navy personnel and in particular for those involved in this incident who are not selling their stories.
I have none whatsoever who do - along with that section of the media who couldn't get their cheque books out fast enough.

I hope the tax man has his eye on a good percentage of that 150,000...........

Joann, EX Pat Singapore,

TO ALL THE AMERICAN READERS:

OK, we screwed up. We admit it. We are sorry for that. Please overlook our mistakes,

But we are pouring our best combat troops into Afghanistan to support you, we are building two new carriers, we have ordered your best jet fighters, we are partners with you in the Trident replacement project and we have the third largest defence budget in the world.

- When you need us, we will be your most loyal and effective allies on the planet.

Richard Oats, Plymouth, UK

Paying the sailors money for stories of there ignoble capitulation.

Disgusting, disgraceful, dispectable!

Terry Smith, Auckland, New Zealand

Every country has some soldiers that would act just like these 13 out of the 15 have done. They are the only type of soldier that you can see or read about in the American media.

The truly brave and honorable soldiers who sacrifce themselves to save the lives of their buddies or innocent civilians will only be mentioned in the news as part of the daily total of KIA's .

Is if fair to write off all of the British armed forces as if they'd all act as those 13 did?

I seem to remember hearing about two British soldiers in Afghanistan (don't know which branch) riding on the skids of a heli in order to go and retrieve a wounded comrade from the battlefield.

That's pretty brave and honorable isn't it?

Gary , Los Angeles, USA/ CA

Shameful example of giving in to the media frenzy. The Brits should not allow anyone to profit from being a hostage. At the very least, any money earned as a result of this shameful episode should go to the orphan children of those who have been killed during the Iragi war.

To allow these hostages to profit personally is an affront to all the men & women who have been killed or injured. The Sea Lords should be ashamed for allowing this travesty.

Edie, Seattle, WA

For sale- brand new British military weapons. Never fired, dropped only once...

Dan , Ft. Bragg, NC

The Government has finally suceeded in trashing the final public institution with any credibility. Who will now complain next time Brown cuts funding for the armed services? Well done MoD. A political masterstoke to use the naive Iranians to achieve your ends. PS, last one out please turn off the lights.

Dianne, Sheffield,

It is sad to see the once proud British military shed its last vestiges of dignity and honor. Making heroes of those who crack as soon as a blindfold is put on says the MOD is supportive of their actions. Given that, it is hard to fault the 15 for acting without honor since they are just reflecting the cultures of their services.

The MOD would be wise to announce to the world that captured service personnel are expected to say anything anyone holding them wants them to say. The expectation should be set that everything a captive says is a lie. That would at least reduce the harm resulting from service members folding like wet cardboard. And, given that virtually everyone will crack if the captor is ruthless enough, it makes sense as a policy. Captives should then push their "confessions" to the absurd, begging to confess to the most outrageous things possible.

Mike Pearson, Baton Rouge, USA/LA

To capitulate in a manner of days was disgraceful. Their juvenile action on camera in Iran was pitiful. Parading these cowards as heros is a farce. Allowing them to profit by telling their stories is an abomination. If they are examples of the British fighting force, God help Britain.

Pat Valicento, Chicago, USA

Would it not have been better for UK to say "thank you for their release, and let the sailors go back home and to their units and quietly get on with their life.

It's a pity that the Iranians did not impose a ban on speaking to the press, or profiting from their story on TV, press etc. as the Americans did, as part of the conditions for the release of David Hicks from Guantanamo Bay.

Ron, Black Rock, Australia

I was willing to give them all the benefit of the doubt before the sale of their stories. I wonder if the people in the UK (and I love them and their country) realize just what an utter fiasco this is and how well they were manipulated by Iran. If and when they do realize, it will be the end of Blair. I find it difficult to be angry with Iran - they played this brilliantly. They stuck it to the USA, the UK, the EU and the UN without a shot fired.
One more thing: I fail to understand the logic behind some of the posters bringing up Jessica Lynch.. Are you somehow forbidden to criticize something if one of your own was, at some point, guilty of something similar? Her conduct was equally disgraceful.

Ian Board, mission viejo, california, usa

Anyone who is upset at the Americans criticism should realize that it comes from the high amount of respect we have held for your military. Most of us would feel the same way if this was happening to our military. The majority of Americans feel you are one of our strongest allies, despite how the BBC and the rest of your media portray us. Our mainstream media does not like our country or military either.
If any good can come of this, it is that it will reawaken the "silent majority" of the good British people will unite to take back your country. Your countries reputation and respect in this world was not built on being PC, that will only lead to its downfall. What would Churchill think of a smoking ban?
I am sorry for the disgrace that these members of your military have brought to all the good people of your country. I am especially sorry for those who have fought and are currently fighting with honor and dignity under your flag.

Christi S, Warrington, PA/ USA

The lion is no more.

The leftist takover of the west is almost complete, as manhood is completely lost as a value, except in the muslim world.

Martin, Boise, Idaho

This is the result of once-proud Britain getting Europeanized.
>
They have psychologically reverted to the gullible days of Neville Chamberlain. Reformed British-born terrorist Hassan Butt was recently quoted as saying that British authorities allowed Islamic terrorists in Britain to say and do whatever they liked as long as they did not target Britain. Then came the bombings of 7/7 by a group of British-born terrorists against their own innocent countrymen. So much for appeasement.
>
Their citizens and government displayed a sort of national Stockholm Syndrome during the recent hostage incident which raised the reputation of Iran among Islamic terrorists several fold.
>

MarioG, Toledo, OH, USA

Cowardly inaction was their mistake. These were supposed to be Royal Marines, and they didn't even put up a fight? I highly suggest that the remaining Marines be educated in fighting, as this is their professed JOB, not giving up. If they had fought back, they would not have been captured and the Iranians would not think they could do this with impunity. They should be dismissed from the service for lack of courage and being useless as tits on a boar. This is what you get from a country where citizens no longer have any right of self defense, which now extends even to armed Marines. Great Britian, is no longer great, or free. The people have allowed the politians to do what the Germans couldn't, turn them into serfs. Thank goodness for the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States which so far has stopped that idiocy here in the United States. Freedom isn't free, it needs to be watered with the blood of patriots every so often. Get a clue people, and vote smarter.

Jim Book, Windsor , CA, USA

There is much that is shameful and disturbling about this orchestrated media humiliation of the Brits. It is far too soon, however, to tar the British armed forces in toto with this brush. Check out The Telegraph today for an account of more typical behavior by the Royal Marines in Afghanistan. The Lion still has some teeth and claws. Winston had some crucial advice, "do not ever allow yourselves to be saparated from the Americans" Now there's a problem worth some consideration, unlike this short-lived episode.

John Lowbridge, Hanson, USA, KY

I'm glad all the sailors are safely home. However, my view is that they were all sniveling cowards very eager to buddy up to the enemy. Is 250, 000 Euro the price of the crown? What a shame.

Jerry, Pennsylvania, USA

We are remembering our Vimy Ridge veterans in France this week with the Queen to be in on the ceremonies...embarassing.. It's time for Canada to get out of the Common Wealth....The UK is becoming a joke!!

Alexander, Montreal, Canada

You've come a long way from Rorke's Drift. Oh, wait, that was your army.

thomas, medfield, ma

Britain is in the same shape as the USA. Liberals have feminized the society and turned them into a blubbering, spineless bunch of TV watchers. How can anyone from the USA say one bad word about the UK? Have they not always stood next to us in our time of need and vice versa? We are both much weaker nations and we are both decaying from within. Just since I went through boot camp, things have change greatly. Now there is training “time outs” when a recruit is tired or is emotionally taxed. When I went through in 1993, we were yelled at, pushed around and PT’ed until we threw up and the old timers said that WE had it easy and I believe them. Men are not allowed to be men anymore. Our boys are medicated if they show too much aggression. You just wait, the liberals are going to win and ultimately destroy the world unless they are stopped and the only way I see that happening is something like the Avian Bird Flu killing 2/3 of the world so the strongest will survive.

mike, dallas, texas

Since the MoD is endorsing this why don't they take it to the next logical level. The latest slogan that will get them ques blocks long at the recruiting centers...

Sign-up, get captured, get rich!!

Carl, Wisconsin, USA

Royal Marines - 99.9% need not apply......Yeah OK

Bullard, Connecticut, USA

The actions of the UK marines and naval personnel is a disgrace to all who have worn a military uniform with honor. It is one thing to be tortured and then falsely admit to the enemy's propaganda demands. It is another to act like frightened children, willing to say anything or do anything asked by the enemy. Then to profit from one's disgraceful behavior, it is appalling.

Ron Wood, Simi Vally, USA

next some of these clowns will become politicians by citing their military service and bravery under fire the sad thing is half the voters will believe them and the other half are apathetic good luck england youre going to need it

ralph lewis, los angeles , usa

These cowards should be ashamed of themselves. They didn't fight, they complied with their captors and now they want to sell their stories. If this is what's defending this country, then God help us... They should be courts martialled, not encourgaged in their total cowardice...

IJ, Glyn Ceiriog,

Sirs and Madam,

While I understand you were probably scared out of your wits while being held captive, your disgraceful behaviour upon your return has blighted the good and an integrity of your comrades in uniform.
For those of you who are considering taking money for your story, I suggest you redeem your reputation and hopefully, conscience by donating any funds you may receive to aid the less fortunate who were permanently injured while serving in Iraq this making their lives a little more comfortable

D K, Houston, TX, USA

Far from profiting from their experience, these two specimens, I will not dignify them with the term officers, owe their own country and cause the exact same sort of abject grovelling apology they were delighted to volunteer to a hostile power in order to gain their release.

The same goes for the Royal Navy's higher ups. Immediate resignations are clearly in order for such a fiasco. These people were either untrained, restrained from reacting, or left to dangle. None of which reflects either credit or professional competence on the part of the Sea Lords.

At the very least, the term "White Ensign" now holds an entirely different meaning from its original connotation.

God bless and sustain those brave British troops still doing their full duty in a time of war.

Kevin Simolke, Colorado Springs, Colorado USA

Is this the same British military that in the movie, "Masters & Commanders", a 12 year old boy was brave enough to do his "bit" and then some? What in the world has happened to Britain?!! It's all devolving to empty trash with the prospect of Sharia law on the horizon. Such a shame-it was a country to beat all at one time.

Colleen, Warroad, USA

I hope these persons can tell a good story because they sure are not fighters. Letting themselves be captured the way they were and then to confess to something they have denied--who would want pay to hear a coward's story. This shows the bankruptcy of the UK military.

Richard Hite, Galena, Ohio

I am an American I live here in the very heartland of the midwest U.S. My boss is a Brit and a good guy and I have several close friends who are Brits living and working over here. I feel a little embarrassed for them, I used to have a deep respect and fond admiration for the UK and especially Great Britain. After all, you gave us the cultural basis for our way of life. You gave us a system of Governance and a template for establishing laws and a justice system. In us you helped forge the greatest nation the world has ever seen. The only comment I am going to make is that it makes me very, very sad to see what is happening in the UK to-day. God Save The Queen and God Bless Her Loyal Subjects everywhere...May they all enjoy a very Happy Easter

joe boyer, Collinsville, IL US.A.

It appears that Britain is getting a little TOO close to its neighbor for its own good! The colors of that once mighty British flag are running precipitously into three equally-sized tricolouric fields of the same hue. It won't be long now before future British sailors are provided with bullhorns as the standard protective weapon of choice, in order to loudly apologize for their territorial incursions from the deck of ships to their intended captors, to ease in their subjugation and to minimize any chance for mussing of their hair during any "ordeal". Good on ya, mateys! Brittania rules the......waifs?

Dennis O'Donoghue, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Shameful all round. Frigates should have protected their boarding party. As prisoners they should have stuck to name, rank and serial number. England is disgraced. Shame on all involved, No wonder the terrorists believe they can destroy freedom; it has so few defenders with backbone. Winston, where are you now that you are so needed?

Ray L. Walker, Franklin, USA/ Tennessee

I'm glad they're home safely but . . . whatever happened to name, rank, serial number, and date of birth? Having officers of the British armed forces on television cheerily parroting Iranian propaganda and pointing to maps drawn to support it . . . well, I think the dignity you value in your servicemen and women has already been thrown away in this episode. No sense worrying about it now . . .

Eric , Fredericksburg, VA, USA

When Halliburton, BAE, and Raytheon profit from the war, you Brits don't have any ill words to spew. But GOD forbid that some middleclass servicemen try and make a buck. The hypocrisy is appalling!!!

Brad, austin, TX

Sell outs, Robert Johnson must be turning in his grave!

Nonplussed , London, Londinium

U.S. Marines: Semper Fi. Do or die.

Royal Marines: Simplify. Surrender with a sigh.

Bubba, Key West,

The most obvious thing to me is this; the Iranians must regret something very big style.

Yes, they must now wish they went for the frigate as ooposed to the wee boats. Well perhaps not. Too many goody bags to hand out eh? Very expensive if they had to give all of them a suit and fags.

Mr Smith, Edinburgh,

Shameful, just shameful. The British Navy allow their sailers and Marines to be captured without a fight. And then the hostages willingly participate in propaganda against their own country. And to top it off, Iranian-backed Shia militia explode a huge bomb that kills 4 British servicemen on the day after the hostages are released. It's very painful to watch these things happen to America's best friend.

Chris, Sacramento, USA

Under exceptional circumstances, the MoD does allow a soldier to make financial arrangements with the media. These exceptional circumstances are for soldiers who went beyond the call of duty to such an extent, that they were recipients of the highest award for bravery and valour that the UK can bestow, namely the Victoria Cross.

To equate the actions of the 15, no matter how "exceptional" the circumstances, with those who were awarded the VC, is carrying equivalence a bit too far.

DaveP, Beverley, UK

After watching the news this week, I think I have a solution: only football hooligans should be allowed to become royal marines and only royal marines should be allowed to attend football matches.

amazed in, Ohio, USA

To Chad, please don't include "everyone in the US" in your ranting and insults-as you surely do not speak for me nor many others I know. If you have a personal opinion about how you feel the way the Brits handled this entire ordeal, keep it personal and "your opinion" and do not inlude those of us "everyone" in the USA that may understand the difficult and delicate situation that existed and may surely disagree with you. There is enough anti-American sentiment (I think deservedly so) around the world, and we don't need people like you to further exacerbate that. You live in Texas, which is as far as I'm concerned, an entirely different country altogether from much of the "US".

Paolo, So Cal, Ca

judy,UK-The UK,US,DE,FR ,IT... especially the new EU former USSR bloc member states have military forces of stand up military men and women. Only a MINORITYof the Iran15 didn't bother,this sorry few collaborated with Iran's propaganda performance,they did not, can not and never will measure up.

mary kirk, sarasota, fl usa

WHO CARES!! Some of theThe Iran15 have nothing to say that is worth one cent. A minority number of the Iran15 conducted themselves in service of Iranian propaganda and should concentrate on how best to avoid ever having to look into a mirror instead of compounding their SELF disgrace with some slobbering,cheap,cheesy,crass tell all.

mary kirk, sarasota, fl usa

YOu think the MoD erred in letting these 15 sell their stories? I think it was calculated to do the following: Raise the disgust level of the British and American people, while making them question their stately virility. Once they start to question their manliness, there's nothing else to do but prove themselves by attacking Iran. Couldn't be helped, they humiliated us. Those poor 15 have been thrown under the bus in order to raise the indignity of the "coalition". Judging from the comments, I'd say it worked just as planned. Yes, Iran made us look like idiots. We must prove them wrong. By proving we're predictable sheep instead.

joy, Baltimore, MD

to caroline, London, UK.

Do any of these derogatory comments that you ascribe to "racist generalizations" have to do with desparaging Caucasians, Negros or Asians? If not, then perhaps you should say "ethnic" (assuming that the French are a separate ethnicity e.g. Jews or Inuits) or at least "nationalistic". Even here in America I teach my 14 year olds that difference. Please refrain from such non-thinking reactions in the future.

George Tirebiter, Washington DC, USA

Absolutely shameful.

Becky M., CONCORD, NC, United States

One of the marines said he and one other in the party were the only ones not to crack.

But the "captives" also said that they were interrogated separately. A big contradiction there. If they were interviewed separately how could anyone know who cracked and who did not?

Billy, Manchester,

Blair got us into this war by spinning intelligence, now he's trying to get his friends in the media to spin these stories as a hate campaign against Iran. A simple statement from the MoD would be far more dignified.

Mark, Newcastle,

Does this mean we'll have a flood of UK military personnel queuing up to surrender so that they can sell their stories? I guess it's to be expected from a society that rewards mediaocracy (Jade Goodbody, Coleen McLoughlin, Posh Beckham). It's not Muslim values that the west needs fear, It's our own complete lack of any moral authority our own stupid obsession of rewarding and endorsing people who have done nothing for the greater good except show off their crassness.

Denis, Dublin, Ireland

Lord Nelson is rolling in his grave.

Doug Reid, Cincinnati, USA/Ohio

Amazing how many indignant Americans are writing in, venting their spleens at supposed British cowardice. Too bad they weren't as indignant about their own government leading them into a pointless war in Iraq under completely false pretenses. Where's the outrage, even mock, over that? Instead they blindly and obediently follow their leaders over the cliff because it's the patriotic thing to do. Vietnam war veterans - perhaps you should remember the carnage and destruction invoked because of the stupidity and short-sightedness of your leaders. Iraq may yet not be another Vietnam but it is a disaster because of the incompetence and stupidity of American political leadership over the last 5 years. Before you choose to condemn others, maybe start at home and straighten out your own ship first.

Michael Gosemann, Vancouver, BC Canada

Pathetic! I could write volumes about honor and duty and sacrifice, but the one word says it all. I fear for the future of Western Civilization!

James Midkiff, Vienna, WV

Cracking under what pressure? They crew should have known the whole incident was Iran’s way of trying to force the UK out of Iraq or go easier on the nuke program. No one was going to die or be seriously tortured. That would have definitely led to a serious military response from the UK and or US. Iran is on the road to ruin, they will be dealt with and it will be payback for 444 days of holding illegally our embassy personal in 1979, the Beirut Marine barracks bombing, etc. God bless all of the men and women over there right now and it’s just a matter of time before we balance the ledger with Iran.

Jeff, LA, USA

The fact that the BBC is canelling the story about "Private Johnson Beharry’s courage in rescuing an ambushed foot patrol then, in a second act, saving his vehicle’s crew despite his own terrible injuries earned him a Victoria Cross." is very telling about the way British society has gone. It is a sad sad day when this brave soldier gets dissed for 15 cowards. Pathetic.

When the liberal ostriches decide to pull their heads out of the sand, they will find themselves living under shari'a law. Do you really want this? I ask you, is that better than a democracy? Go live in Iran, Yemen, Egypt or Saudia Arabia and then tell me which you prefer? Give me the great USA any day! I have lost hope for Britain.

carol, San Antonio, Texas

The latest film from Iran showing the happy smiling faces of the fifteen cowards playing table tennis, playing chess and watching football on TV is another nuclear explosion of PR success from the Iranians. The MOD resembles a scene from "Fawlty Towers" where Basil Fawlty has made every mistake possible and is so deeply embarassed that he can only stand and beat his head against a wall, whilst crying with shame.

This is the UK's lowest point since Suez. There should be a vote of no confidence in the government and they should be dismissed.

Ed Flanery, Birmingham, UK

Looks like the United States will stand with the Aussies, Canadians and Kiwis to defend the free world. The BBC is socialist propaganda that reflects the true philosophy of English government. The United States had its Civil War and the Brits had many in their history. Is there any other way but open warfare for free minded British to regain their country? The Canadian government is socialist, so too is France and it would seem Britian is now part of the liberal appeasement movement without courage to do anything but spend money. The third Crusade should be a nasty affair. Iran believes the west is weak and will not fight, walking home with goody bags and media checks. Can't wait to see the appeasement from the United Nations as this builds into a fight over oil shipments through the Strait.

Ken, St. Clair Shores, Mi., Michigan USA

After isolating the 15 once they were released by the Iranies, first by throwing everyone out of the Business class of the BA flight home and then taking them straight from Heathrow without any chance of giving an interview, are they now being rewarded for giving out the MOD version of what happened to them in Iran? It makes you wonder.

nasir ahmad, Manchester,

I'm outagred. The book/TV/appearance deals are a disgrace. It shows what a pathetic culture we have become.

TO AMERICAN POSTERS:
As you condem the Brits, remember Jessiaca Lynch got a million-dollar book deal. And here story was a complete fabrication. She said so herself...never fired a shot. Cared for with TLC by Iraqi doctors. Its the same on both sides of the Atlantic.

Jessis Walker, Birmingham, UK

As a VietNam veteran, several thoughts:
The commander of the British warship was derelict in his duty not to have blown the ragheads out of the water.
Tehran needed to be given 48 hours to release or face overwhelming aerial attack...regardless of the fate of the hostages.
The female "hostage" should pull her Birka over her face in shame for apologizing. With CNN and the world media looking on, she was in absolutely NO danger.
Finally, what happened to "name, rank and serial number" only. The current crop of soldiers, who signed up for $ and college could not carry the socks of the WWII Brit and US armed forces.
"Selling" the story only reinforces my contempt for the people involved. Next time, which there will be, the Iranians may have the nuke....then see how we kiss butt.

john baldwin, Twain Harte, CA

"How many young servicemen were brought up in single parent families? The majority of the single parents would have been females.

Yes, we probably are seeing a "feminization" of society..."

John, London

Couldn't have said it better myself. The same holds true in America.

John O'brien, Boston, USA

It is now official, England is no longer an ally, but a cowardice state, managed and run by weak minded and bodied cowards. It is also official that England is now officially part of the mainstream EU, along with Germany, France, Spain and the rest.

I'm not surprised, nor am I dissapointed. I'm actually glad...it makes it much easier to know who our enemies are and where the enxt attacks will come from. As an American, it would be wise to just throw up a wall around our country, and so far just remain allies with Australia.

I look forward to watching the conversion of the EU to a Muslim state. Nice knowing you Mr. Pope...you keep supporting the enemy as well, it fits right in with your EU politics. Your days are numbered as well.

I won't be sending my sons to join anyone's military, as we will be protecting our lives from our own front porch...where the last of the real men are I suppose.

I'll be laughing at whoever gets to eat the first nuke in a few years...that will be hilarious

MP, Denver, CO, USA

DIAGNOSIS

There is a pestillence upon the land of Britain:

The Nation is, obviously, seriously ill.

Its soul has been infected with Blairarrhea. The infection has spread to the armed forces!

A. G. GUMBS, GLENDALE HEIGHTS, USA/ ILLINOIS

Get a clue: in a free enterprise, democratic society, citizens have every right to sell their stories - including military (as long as no military secrets are divulged) ... more at http://www.paullevinson.net/archives/memo_to_brits_hostages_have_a.phtml

Paul Levinson, New York City, USA

What has happened to the Pride of Britian. We all know the next shoe is about to drop. Let's stop pretending this is going away. Iranian is determined to flex its muscles. Do we stand up and fight or run ? Let's stand up and fight. God save the Queen.

JERRY MCCULLOUGH, St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada, CANADA

Interesting to read some of the comments from across the pond - some generous and some not so, but it's great to absorb the various points of view. I'm Irish and an ex British Para so you can imagine my feelings when I first saw the conduct of the cringe-making female as she tried (not very hard) to cope with her 'ordeal'. Followed by the total co-operation of the officers with their captors.
I recalled my service with the Airborne and I may state that I had the privilage of serving with some of the nicest, kindest, determined, pragmatic, humourous, reliable and proud individuals on the planet. You know, the kind who walked 45 miles across the Falklands carrying rucksacks as big as fridgefreezers before engaging a well rested enemy and routing him.
So come on, you Yanks, the Brit public doesn't need to be castigated, they are already deeply ashamed. And remember, most of Gen Custers men ran away, there was no 'last stand'.

Harry , Riga, Latvia

As a Briton presently in the US reading this latest story and the responses it has provoked I am ashamed. All my life (whatever government was in power) our armed forces have been a source of pride to Britain. This debacle, turned into a sick reality show by the MOD, besmirches the deserved reputation of our forces. No, I do not know how I would have responded in their position and as such would have been prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt. What I do know is that I would not have been proud enough to sell my story having capitulated so quickly to Iranian mind games. How can their version be believed by anyone? They have a vested interest in over-egging any bad treatment. They will earn whatever monies they get through the vilification they will receive. Those at the MOD who sanctioned this PR disaster should be dismissed, followed quickly by the Defence Secretary for allowing it to happen.

Brian Henry, New Port Richey, Florida. USA

Oh, how have the English chickens come to roost. For a long time the English have criticised the Americans of being money grubbing and self-absorbed. "This cup of tea tastes rather bitter doesn't it, old chap?"
Where was the rest of the Euro-snobs? Were they standing shoulder to shoulder with England? No, they sold out England to protect their business interests with Iran. European Union in a pigs eye it is. Only when their is money involved is there a Union.
The sailors and Marines are only doing what the rest of the world is doing. "Getting what they feel is owed to them." "It's not about English patriotism Love, its about the money."
So much about the English stiff upper lip, now that lip is down in the muck, sucking up what they feel is owed to them as fast as they can.
I have always admired you English for your strength and resolve, but please, don't forget in what being English is, sadly, you are part of the EU, but always remember, you are England and nothing else.

Melvin L. Leppla, Jacksonville, U.S. North Carolina

I am an ex-Brit who has lived in the USA for 25 years. I am old enough to remember when Britain had a Military that we could be proud of. This sorry spectacle further illustrates the pitiful decline of the UK. If it Isn't bad enough that you have linguini-spined politicians and politically-correct Military leaders who send overweight young mothers into a combat situation, we have to watch these poorly-prepared young people roll over and co-operate with these Iranian lunatics within two days - poor babies! Whatever happened to "Name, Rank & Serial Number"?. To rub salt in the wound they are now being allowed to sell stories of their heroism(?) and are being awarded Victoria Crosses! For what? They did not fire a single shot, co-operated with the enemy when the big bad Iranians said "Boo", and gave these lunatics a propaganda bonanza!

I hope the two crew members who did NOT surrender to the "pressure" manage to avoid being tarred with the same brush - God bless them!

Wake up Britain!

Ian Donald, San Francisco, Ca.

As a British ex-pat living in the US, I have yet another reason to justify my emigration from the UK. I just spent the last several days arguing with friends and colleagues here in the US that we should not criticise the decision of the officers on the spot to "go quietly" and avoid a fire fight that could have resulted in a major international incident, not to mention the likely deaths of the 15 concerned. And now Blair's cynical, media-grabbing administration is giving them the green light to sell their stories. I really don't believe that doing so is in the best interests of the UK, its foreign policy or the security of those still serving in the region.

I do hope the twit who approved such lunacy remembers this precedent the next time a civil servant wants to sell an expose of government incompetence. And if there is any sense of dignity whatsover remaining within the military, each of the 15 should tell Mr. Clifford and his popular-culture colleagues where to put there cheque.

Max, St. Petersburg, FL

There is no honour in any of this. It will be used as a means of recruitement by Britain's enemies and will be
very effective at that. I have no doubt that British soldiers
will be put at risk if not killed as a result of this dreadfull
free propaganda gift to the Iranians.
The British MOD has done more damage in one day than
the excesses of empire building could have done in years.

Louis Walsh, Dublin, Ireland

So the woman in the party has spoken.

Dreadful stuff. Sexual connotations to it. Sex sells eh?

She thought she was going to be raped! But she was not. Why not say she thought little green men were coming down from the planet zonk? This rubbish she utters is just being made up.

She thought she was being measured up for a coffin. Complete trash. Why would they need to do that if they were going to kill you?

There is not one word of porof that what she says is true.

These people are smacking the real victims and their families in the mouth. Nobody will believe a word they say.

Our reputation throughout the world will be zero.

George, London,

Limp, cigarette smoking caspars by any other name. How very sad.

Shane, Dublin, Ireland

Does anyone at the MoD even have a brain left? Who made this stupid decision to let these guys sell their stories?

Any credibility that the UK had left that maybe their version of events was right and the Iranians were lying is gone, after this stunt.

These soldiers have no backbone. They praise their captors on TV, Iranian TV shows them relaxing, playing table tennis; and then they come back and claim they were threatened and promptly sell their stories to British TV for money?

I've got nothing to say about these spineless clowns, but the person who made the decision to let them sell their stories should be fired. Who is going to believe the British version of the "kidnap" story anymore.

Dave M, Chicago, US

Duty...Honor...Country!
Sad!

Maddox-Bailey, Annapolis, USA, MD

Thank God and the US constitution I can still own and possess firearms in my country. The day for self defense is approaching faster than I could have imagined. Has the UK gone mad? It was confounding enough to watch the parade of apologies and the cheerful sendoff and lovefest with the Iranians. But this is madness. The only outrage seems to be in the commentaries here. Why aren't your leaders reigning in the insanity? God help us all.

Mike, Monterey, USA, California

Many things would be worth risking your life for; operational secrets, your country's security, your friends life etc. This is a different situation - 7 years in prison versus saying (dishonestly) that you were in the wrong bit of water and hoping that you could put the record straight when you were safe. I would hesitate before criticising young men and women, isolated and a long way from home, from taking the latter option. If they were cowards would thay have put themselves in the firing line in the first place? Easy to crticise from you armchair, but I hope they don't sell their stories.

Richard, Washington DC, USA

Churchill: "England expects every man to do his duty."

Blair: "England expects every man to get his goody bag."

Lily, NY , NY

This "yank" is both disgusted and saddened. Disgusted that professional military would show themselves in such a pathetic manner. Saddened that the once mighty British royal navy and marines are reduced to a group of cub scouts in rubber dinghies. Britannia has sunk.

Michael, Jacksonville, florida

America , lets not let a few cowards come between the USA and a nation of lions led by donkeys Tony Blair, put the MOD back in its box .
God Save The Queen.

GAZ, Merseyside, England

All those who have criticised the sailors and marines for not fighting back are talking complete rubbish. They were surrounded and outgunned, had no air support, and no support from HMS Cornwall, which was several miles away and unable to enter shallow waters. The patrol commander made absolutely the right decision. Any decision to fight it out would have been 'gung-ho' and irresponsible - we would probably be watching 15 coffins being carried off at Brize Norten rather than 15 personnel returning safely to their families. The