Being a retired military man, I see this issue from a different perspective. It is not an issue of free speech; it is an issue of military duty and responsibility. Members of the military forgo many rights that civilians have, in order to maintain military order. The same is true in this case.

For instance, let's say the sailors were allowed to sell their stories and received a huge amount of money for it. The next ship, when approached by a foreign military, might have second thoughts about fighting their captives. The thought might go through a military member of "if I survive this, I might make my family rich." If we military members do not give up the rights that we are sworn to protect, there is a possibility that we become nothing more than mercenaries.

david, ashaway, ri

Who would want to fight side by side with Batchelor and Turney? One crying himself to sleep and wanting mother hugs, and the other happy to sign anything to get back for her daughter's birthday.

Our military strength used to lie in the solidarity of purpose between soldiers/sailors/airmen - you fight for, and protect each other. Would you trust these men/women to cover your back?

Alastair123, London, UK

How the simple standards of what is right and wrong in public life, have fallen away. I always understood, and i am only in my mid 30's, that those employed directly or indirectly in public life, owe a duty to keep silent about their work. In so doing they protect the democratic state and the citizens who live within it. Another nail in the coffin of the United Kingdom this! It is time those who can bear no more political correctness in whatever form, stood up and said so! I hope those sailors, who did sell their stories, will see the error of their decision, and donate their earnings to one or other of the various military benevolent charities. At least there would be some dignity in that, in a week during which other service men and women paid the ultimate price without hesitation, so that we may live in this free society, however odd that same society may sometimes appear.

Andrew , Taunton, Somerset

I agree with GH in London!

They are only doing the job that us as tax payers are paying them to do! What about all the people working in hospitals that are subjected to assualts by patients either through drunkness or mental behaviour or being thugs! They do not sell there story for thousands! Yes the story should be told but not for money!

Clr, st austell, Cornwall

Has free speech disappeared in The UK?

Kim Righetti, Upalnd, Calif. USA

I just wanted to acknowledge the fact that two of the marines apparently refused to confess to anything. At least some of these young people knew their duty to country.

Lawrence, Washington, DC

****Exclusive**** Faye's Life Story:

I'll save you the bother.

born
went to school, met a pie & ate it.
left school, met another pie & ate it.
joined navy, travelled the world & ate more pies.
navigated boat whilst at sea, oops.
banged up in iran, no pies.......boo.
released & back to uk & gingsters hurrah.
made a mint from the red tops.
bought more pies

GH, london, london

what a sad nation we have become when we slander
our army and sailors for doing their jobs even when
mistakes are made .perhaps all the commenters above
should try to do it and not tell their stories any one willing
to die for there country is a hero in my book

george william taylor, hull, uk

My father and my father-in-law served in the army and the RN respectively during WWII, neither of them subsequently "dined out" or profited from their experiences of that horrific experience. They were proud to have contributed alongside the many thousands who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
On return to civvy street they each worked long hours to bring up their families. In comparison, to the Iran 15, their parting gifts from the MOD were the "full-monty" suits issued to everyone on demob.

David Smith, PLYMOUTH, UK

These people should be in solitary, awaiting court marshal, instead of flouting their abject cowardice to the world. Yes some of them were young, but it is ironic that the sailors were from H.M.S. Cornwall.
Cornwall is the name of an English county, but it is also the name of a Royal Navy hero. During the battle of Jutland, H.M.S. Chester was straddled by German shells. All of her guns were silenced except one, which kept up intermittent firing as it was being manned by one surviving gunner, until he also died of his wounds. His name was Jack Cornwall aged 16. Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
How times have changed.

Ex Para, Tønsberg, Norway

If the military had banned them from telling their story at the start there would have been cries of *they want to gag them,they are scared of what they will say*.Whatever way the military went they could not have won,Looks like they chose the smart option.Test the waters first.Who has been the guinea pig in all this?

Noelene, Launceston, Tasmania

To Bradley , austin, TX,
Good heavans man, get your facts right.
Robert Graves, Ernest Hemmingway, Seigfried Sassoon et al were not 'profiteers'. They were brave fighters for their country in conditions worse than you can imagine who became disillusioned at the awful waste of life and culpability, ineptness and incompetence of generals and politicians who regarded servicemens' lives as worthless while staying safely out of harm's way. Some of those you mentioned became conscientious objectors as a result.
No, they were not profiteers. Look at their brilliant poetry and prose and the timing of their publications. Most wrote for themselves not with a view to profit. Some were reluctantly published.
There is no comparison possible to the current debate and the likes of these great poets. Indeed, some were published after dying in the Great War.
Please don't insult the bravery of these men and their literature with the current debate on 'tell all' sob stories.

David R, Erina, Australia / NSW

Reward for craven cowardice.
Were the personnel trained on how to handle interrogation techniques and if not why not? Does this call into question the place of females in the front line?
It reflects shame on the UK Military, which is surely not deserved by the vast majority of our servicemen and women. I dread to think what their thoughtds are at this time.
Shame on the MOD and associated grubby politicians.

Roger Fairbanks, Perth, Australia

To Bradley in Austin: by all means let them have their say. Just let them do it the right way: leave the service first. When they are civilians they can go on as long as they want about it.

Ian Board, mission viejo, california, usa

"Never in the history of human conflict, has so much been paid to so few for so little." I plagiarised this from a contributor, James, on another blog - the most succinct summing up of this debacle I've read to date. Of course we were humiliated, because every other nation now holds us in far less esteem than previously. Heads should roll; and that should certainly include the executive.

Kev Doyle, Lincoln, UK

"He described how the guards had mocked him, calling him 'Mr Bean', adding: 'It was beyond terrifying'."

Yes, nothing quite as terrifying as being called 'Mr Bean'.

Stephen, Manchester,

Not bad. Not bad at all.
Instead of serving my country I should have joined the (once proud and brave) British Military, got caught (or surrendered or deserted), sold my story, give "some of it" to my unit (conscience or self-preservation?) and go on the Recruitment round "See the world, serve your country and get rich quick".
Shucks, I forgot, that is for cowards and wimps as true servicemen do not laugh and play table tennis etc, while confined to tiny cells in between "torture sessions".
And we signed the Official Secrets Act. No 'leaks' excused.
Many of us have families, so yes, what a wonderful way to "set up her daughter". Should have thought of that one.
Tell me - would any of these fifteen have fought the enemy or would the fear make them run away home to mummy?
I just hope, dear God I hope, they are not representative of other serving personnel whom they have insulted.
A white feather and Coventry award for all of them.
As for the politicians and MoD - fools, bloody fools.

David R, Erina, Australia / NSW

"A guard kept flicking my neck with his index finger and thumb."

Good grief. This man should be slung out of the Navy like so much bad rubbish. What next? Complaints that the lavatory paper wasn't triple-ply?

Gerald, London, UK

Turney should cover her head and face in shame. Batchelor and the rest should be transferred to the army to toughen them up. The First Sea Lord and the Secretary of State for defence should be sacked. Yet another mismanaged by the looney left.

ron, middlesbrough, uk

Can one person explain to me why these sailors should be denied the right to speak?

Aren't Robert Graves, Ernest Hemmingway, Seigfried Sassoon, and others wartime profiteers as well? I would really, really appreciate an answer? I thought Britain was a democratic country, not a dictatorial one. Those sailors are people, they're probably middleclass, and who is to say they can't make a buck.

No one is perfect, but based on the comments on this board it seems as if you Brits want to strip the sailors of their citizenship. I fear for their safety. It is as if the sailors divulged some time-honored British secret which threatens the existence of your great nation.

Bradley , austin, TX

I read the comments of Arthur Batchelor on the Daily Mirror web site. It was beyond words, his language and behaviour was more like that of a 12 year old boy than a member of a fighting service.

Quotes such as "I cried like a baby" and "Topsy said she'd always be there for me, to protect me and look after me." and "'Do you need another hug, a mother hug" are cringe making in the extreme.

This immature young man has embarrassed himself, his service and his country and the only thing more shameful is that no-one older, wiser and more mature came forward to prevent him from making such a fool of himself.

He and some of his colleagues should consider their positions and ask themselves if a career in a frontline fighting service is suitable for them.

Andrew Murray, London, UK

It pains me to say it, but I can't help but agree with the statements of Jim in California and Justin in Atlanta. That type of comment from an American (and I am half American myself) would previously have raised my hackles and drawn a sharp retort, but now I can only shake my head sadly. The Royal Navy, once the most powerful fighting force on the face of the Earth, has been put to shame by a handful of thugs in dinghys, and the more these individuals speak of the affair the more embarassing it all becomes.

C Heathcote, Tonbridge,

With military persons of this caliber, we can anticipate a whole bunch more of these happenings.

wpo, warsaw, n.y.

This 24hr mess up has tarnished the reputation of the British military around the globe. Nelson's flagship today would message: "ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERYMAN TO SIGN A BOOK DEAL"

Jessis Walker, Birmingham, UK

If our Defence Secretary found the decision (to allow payment for stories) a "tough call", maybe he should be moved on to School Dinners Monitor, or something equally stressful.
Whatever happened to the "Official Secrets Act"? - like many others I've signed it several times, for various reasons, over the years - keep your mouth shut, or else.
I have sympathised with our 15 youngsters doing a routine job when they were pirated by a regime of bloody rogues, but the PR disaster which has followed dwarfs their original "capture".
Before everyone else - ( east of Suez, and west of the Atlantic) - dies laughing, may we have some governance back please?
We do not need to end up like Iran - a nation of intelligent and amiable people - run by idiots.

MikeM, St. Albans, England

Des Brown authorised this one off deal in order to take the heat off the government. The government were taking a beating about the handling of the affair, so thought it wise to create another headline. This of course has backfired on then because they realise they don't want service people coming back from war selling their stories or making book deals. Now Des Brown wants to back track! When I did my service, I was made to sigh the official secrets act, meaning I couldn't discuss my army life in any detail for thirty years after leaving the service. I'm delighted to say I stuck by the promise I made. Only the Blair government could get it's self into so much mess. The Government and sadly our country must be a laughing stock around the world.

Ray, newcastle upon tyne, UK

Those that have accepted money for their tales of torture should now be removed from the military, or at the very least be shore-bound

TomTom, Leeds, England

Is this some sort of joke, these people are meant to be military personel i.e. have some degree of resilience/toughness what was this 'baby' bachelor doing on such an important mission in the first place? I bet our enemies are really scared and running now, don't you!.
Come on MOD stop taking the wimps into your ranks.

Mark, Madrid, Spain

The most disgusting part of this whole saga is the way some people in the USA have attacked Britain with absolute glee. They seem to be revelling in their opportunity to call us cowards and criticise every aspect of our society and armed forces from the actions of 5 Marines and 10 young sailors. It seems that some so called Allies are far too ready to stab us in the back.
You speak of honour and loyalty yet do not see the acts of heroism and sacrifice that take place each day by the Royal Marines in Afghanistan?

Steve Brown, Liverpool, England

Why didn't the MOD just call a press conference, allow each serviceperson two minutes to read a prepared statement in their own words, then let the media report on that?

As it stands, the sole female of the group has made a statement that opens with a less than convincing explanation why she chose to go with Trevor McDonald and The Sun. It looks like, having been cynically manipulated by Iran during her capture, she has allowed the UK media to do exactly the same thing after being set free.

Finally, the fact that receipt of payment was a Navy/MOD/UK Govt decision provokes serious concern about the judgement of these authorities. As someone who has supported the action in Iraq from the outset, this aspect worries me more than anything else.

Jerry Hart, Cambridge, UK

Watch out for some of the soldiers, especially Faye, turning up on Celebrity Big Brother later in the year. Or maybe Ant and Dec can organise a Summer Special - ' I'm a Soldier in Afghanistan, Get Me Out of Here'. A hundred grand to the winner and a lifetime membership for Tessa Jowell's Super Casino to the runner up.

Mike, London, UK

No problem with hearing more stories along the following lines, as and when they occur -

'A circumstance occurred during the action, which so strongly marks the invincible spirit of British seamen, when engaging the enemies of their country, that I cannot resist the pleasure I have in making it known to their Lordships; the Temeraire was boarded by accident, or design, by a French ship on one side, and a Spaniard on the other; the contest was vigorous, but, in the end, the combined ensigns were torn from the poop, and the British hoisted in their places.'

Jez, London, England

maybe a good thing this surrendering for profit. If it does become a vogue, wars will end. Won by the highest bidder. Brits...take pride....you lead the way

Matthew, New York USA,

The review of the decision, however justified, seems remarkably like: 'order, counter-order, equals disorder.' The MoD and the Secretary for Defence, in particular, would have both only looked like an effective and efficient government department and a competent minister if they had properly made up their minds , first time, and retained their decision. They now both look thoroughly inept.

Nigel Hammond, Wantage, UK

Called Mr Bean and having your neck,finger flicked,no wonder they were terrified. Have I told you about my school days?

Phil Tomlinson, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Allowing the navy personnel to sell their stories is like selling war for profit.

virsen, Pune, India

After reading most of the related stories, my feeling is that your marines and sailors broke immediately, and would have said or done anything wanted by the pirates. Your military appears very immature, untrained and unready. This doesn't give me a good feeling about the capability of our main ally. What would they have done if placed in a truly horrid situation like our sailors on the USS Pueblo?

Jim, Pleasanton, USA/California

Perhaps the sailors can use the money and buy their Navy some "balls" for next time they face the vaunted Iranian Navy.

Justin, Atlanta, USA

Poor private Batchelor had to cry himself to sleep at night. Does Britain even remember the true heroism, valour and, yes, dignity of its real POWs, rather than these spoiled sailors playing ping pong and acting like shameful disgraces to the free world?

Robert Saha, Montreal, Canada

Why am I inclined to believe those scripted statements read by the freed sailors/marines were false? Recently released video of them all playing chess and watching the football match (Go Liverpool!) puts those statements and their credibility into serious doubt. While I am not pro-Iran, the shocking news may just be that they were not mistreated in the least whilst in Iran, but can't admit it publicly!!!

geoff, Montreal, Canada

The tabloid tell all money won't help the Iran15 collaborators face a long lifetime of having to see themselves in both the private and public mirror.The Iran15 that collaborated ruined themselves.

mary kirk, sarasota, fl usa

I think it’s 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.

Mike Chadwick, Brighton, England

The real question is why these people are not facing a military trial for allowing themselves to be kidnapped and repeatedly embarassing themselves, their armed forces and their country ever since.

Nickd, Chicago, IL

All right, Iran, Let's cut to the chase. Show the video where you have
these poor blokes taking bathing-trunk rumba lessons during the
poolside couscous at the Teheran Country Club and be done with it.
Go on. We know you have it.

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

Honour, tradition, respect and professionalism: all qualities which this government seeks to undermine and destroy.
Let's stop attacking these young sailors for mistakes which properly belong to the MoD and its political masters.

Tricia, E. Sussex, UK,

Batchelor did bear a striking resemblance to Mr. Bean, I'm afraid.

Paul Kelley, Columbia, USA

I want to thank those 15 young men and women, recently captured in Iran, especially the officer in charge, for demonstrating the presence of mind to grasp the larger consequences involved had he decided to order up a skirmish to the death for a moment of glory and feeding Iran exactly what it wanted.

While the naval operational support procedures should be open to review and improvement, the high reputation of the British armed forces is hardly at stake. From my perspective, your 15 officers and crew acted wisely, thoughtfully and bravely to their credit in Iran’s transparent attempt to provoke a larger incident.

Rich Buckley, Livermore, California, USA

This whole thing is so depressing. I can't believe that the public find what these people went through so shocking. How naive have we all become?
First of all, this happens in 'war', secondly how hypocritcal (shallow) believers of the media are, who remembers the way allied troops have treated their captives (rightly or wrongly) at a time like this?
It would seem we only see what we want to see, or what the media tells us to.
This, however was not an act of war, it was an act of antagonism, which the Iranians won. Whatever their aim was, they acheived it, and, if I was Irainian I'd be laughing my head off at the whinging, whining and general tis the west has got themselves in over this matter. Match point.
These service personnel made a bad judgement that they are now going to have to live with for the rest of their lives, compounded by, not only the media and public comment but by the BIO (Bright Ideas Officer) of the MOD.
I have served for 15 years, I leave in june.

LH, Dorset, UK

If people like Faye are being paid six figure sums to tell a story what kind of story will it be?

Yes, the type of story that the payer of the money wants. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

Given that they are being paid big money, who will believe what they say?

By the hour this issue is looking worse and worse. It really does look like a glorified reality TV thingy. The "hostages" are making the armed forces look ridiculous. The morale of our people in the Middle East must be at zero.

Who would want to join the Navy now? YThe Government must now act to close this idiocy down. I believe its went FAR to far.

We are now just getting sensationalist trash. Nobody is believing it. And no wonder. Honestly, I feel like weeping thinking about it. I have never seen the UK being brought down like this.

Jamie, Newcastle,

How pathetic. Somebody has taken their eye seriously off the ball here and needs to get fired. Actually, it's hard to tell what's going on. Who knows?

Perhaps the MoD needs some basic training in public relations. Silence would be the best response to Iran's propaganda. There's no other comeback. Why dignify it?

If the report is true, then it's hardly appropriate that servicemen sell their stories - at least while they're still serving. It certainly doesn't send the right message if they profit when others have made a bigger sacrifice by paying for this imprudent war with their lives.

Ray, Rome,

Seems to me if you are in the employ of your government and you sell your story, either the government should receive the benefits, or it should go to help families of fallen soldiers. Anything else is very poor form!

Mike Hermsen, Omaha, Nebraska/U.S.A.

I am ashamed to be British. What has happened to the dignity and honour that we used to carry with us as part of our national identity? When did our armed forces become such weak and cowardly milk-sops? This whole dreary episode has been a damning illustration of our culture's current ills.

M Smith, London, UK

This really is like a reality game show. Why?

Because the public are watching the circus saying "how far will they, the captives, go for the money?". In short, that is like these reality shows. The public watch them to see how far the contestants will lower themselves. Faye is simply becoming a Jade.

People are using the term propaganda. What the MOD are doing is attempted propaganda. It will have the opposite effect from what they intend. Its crude and immature tactics.

Bunty, Plymouth,

My concern is more with "what have we learned from this incident, and what are we going to do the next time it happens?"

And, I can assure you, there will be a next time. They may be British, they may be Americans; either way, Iran feels emboldened and, I think, will try this gambit again.

So, what DO we do: play it the same way and hope Ahmadinejad doesn't turn and show a much darker hand on the next go-around? I'm curious as to what the British people think about this...

James P, Sacramento, California

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

"They would do it, anyway..." What a weirdly peculiar thing to say by someone who can order others to risk their lives... (S)He can tell them "Do it, if you have to die!", but is helplessly unable to order them to obey the rule of keeping their mouth shut...?!
In Brazil, they use to say: "That one was told only to YOU, my friend..."

LMMarques, Porto,

You as like as other medias, try to broadcast a negative feature of Iran as always. I can't understand how is it possible that some soldiers have visited top Iranain officials(including president) where they acknowledged them and upon their return to Britain, they deny everything and just present negative issues. This is why our people don't trust westerners. Such propaganda just generates hate.

Reza, Gent, Belgium

Well...For a start 'jaw jaw is better than war war' as Winston Churchill famously said. So to get the hostages back without a shot being fired is good news. However perhaps we should review what John Boyd offered on the art of war. A fighter pilot who over a very colourful, deeply controversial career progressed to a scholarly understanding of how a combatant can out think, outfight and humble any opponent. Whether air, land or sea... individuals, battalions...politics, commerce - any form of adversarial encounter. Because we and the USA feel so unbeatably mighty, we may have even more reason to heed Boyd's teachings because it would appear that we are being soundly beaten by the Iranians who may be playing more expertly than us to Boyd's rules. Google "John Boyd art of war;" get "John Boyd the fighter pilot who changed the art of war" by Robert Coram. The Los Angeles Times Book Review said "This (book) ... should ... definitely be on the bedside tables of all our military leadership."

GC, Harrogate, UK

Absolutely appaulling!!! I am in the Forces and and shocked and astonished that not all the captives have any personal pride in themselves and their Service. Airing their stories is disgraceful tey should be ashamed. Well done to the ones who have kept quiet.

K Skinner, Swindon, England

If you believe that honour, tradition, respect for one's colleagues and the military in which you serve has got nothing to do with the job you do and your effectiveness in performing that job, then condemnation of these young servicemen is inappropriate. If, however, it is your belief that those things have everything to do with your position and responsibilities as an airman, soldier or sailor, then the Ministry of Defence cannot justify allowing the publication of these accounts and any related payment. The only explanation is that the decision is a political one, part of the propaganda war with Iran, a war which has already been lost. I didn't think the situation could be made any worse after seeing the inexplicable behaviour of these servicemen during their captivity but this latest development makes us look like a country of "Mr Bean's"!

Keith Downer, London, UK

I am ever so disappointed that a Nation that conquered the World should allow it's troops to be exploited for apparently political propaganda. A dangerous precedent we shall regret in the years to come.

Abdul Jaleel, DARLINGTON, UK