Selling stories for profit is certainly a difficult subject to debate when the military is funded by the taxpayers. Their stories do need to be heard but not in this atmosphere of a "I'm a Celebrity" circus. One solution is that there be a month long 'holding period' before any stories can be sold for personal profit and a percentage of the money going to a non-profit charity. This way the media frenzy will have subsided and the publishers might not be in such a hurry to pay these exorbitant amounts of money because they will have moved on to another "gossip fed" exclusive.

Maggie Day-Myron, Hamilton, Canada

With regard to the question as to whether to fight or not, which faced the officer commanding this detechment - are we to cut and run with the risk of being blown out of the water by heavy machine guns and rockets and perhaps then provoke a state of war between the UK and Iran, or to surrender, thus avoiding war and bloodshed. In my view, the correct deceision was taken Remember, they had no idea as to what their fate might be and that in itself took a lot of courage. As to their behaviour in front of the Iranian cameras - what acting - give them their equity cards - and it got them out safe and sound asnd no actual war as yet. As to selling their stories - the blame for that rests squarely on the shoulders of the first sea lord and the MOD who were badly advised. So lets cut these sailers and marines som slack and lets all move on.

JohnB, MalagaSpain, Spain

i read about the 15 sailor's being an ex-sailor myself i was disgusted with the woman Leading seaman " Coffin Kate" the guy "crybaby" i was in submarines in the 1950's under the official secrets act spying on the Soviet Union Artic, Murmansk, one of or Submarines was badly damaged by a Soviet depth charge attack secret to this day. One sailor tried in camera got two year's gaol, no £100,000 for him.

john Wood-cowling, Corby, UK

It was with dismay that one saw the briefings and interviews provided by these service personnel when in captivity. The woman seaman in my opinion disgraced herself and the service by wearing a headscarf and by smoking when 'exhibited' by the captors. I do not think that it is too much to ask that captives refuse to say anything except Name Rank and Number and certainly that they refrain from agreeing to wear religious garb or to give prepared statements. Old and good standards have been traduced and the position compounded by going on to profit from press interviews after the return. I am shocked but hardly surprised by these lowering standards of conduct.

Frankland Macdonald Wood, Sansepolcro, Italy

Maybe the networks in Britain should run the film Bridge Over The River Kwai to put this incident in true perspective; The behaviour of the British soldiers held captive is indicative of the self-indulgent behaviour of youth of today and the decadence of British society in general. The senior officer in the captive group should be at minimal, reprimanded.

Jeff taylor, Boulder, CO, USA

What do you expect if you send 15 women(including one original woman) to do a man's job? Your football-fans might have put up a better fight,judging by their frenzy during various tournaments...whats the use of having Gurkhas on your payroll.... if you go around picking fights outside your backyard ,use these real fighters,who would have done you proud,and may have come back with a couple of mulla-skulls as trophies,instead of sob-stories of how they were subjected to "torture"...Rule Brittanica!!!!!

cmp.from.india, mumbai,india,

Why? We allow politicians to make even more from our ordeal.

D Cage, Highworth, UK

How long before the 15 decide to seek compensation for mental stress and torment? Shouldn't be too long, I mean when you join the army you shouldn't have to expect to be deployed on REAL manouevres, or know how to handle being captured, or be expected to ACTUALLY go to war or fight for your country, or even die for your country?! Imagine that!!! I hear that Faye Turney feared rape - doesn't every captive or victim in war fear this and other torment too, irrespective of gender? Can she really purport to tell HER story of what SHE went through in the light of continuing servicepeople deaths in Iraq? Where is the dignity? Where is their sense of pride? And yes, won't be long before she is on GMTV, Big Brother or Celebrity Wife Swop. What a crying crying shame

Loz Lowton, Coventry,

It is quite extraordinary that this utterly humiliating episode should end with the people concerned being able to sell their stories. It seems that finally the armed services are sliding down the same odious path to worthlessness that has come to characterise so much else in British life. Presumably John Nichol thinks that all service people who grovel for their capturers should come home to the plaudits of the press and set up shop as authors and pundits, as he himself has done so shamelessly.

I will not be renewing my British passport, and I'm glad my children are not growing up in the UK.

Ian Sutherland, Château-d'Oex, Switzerland

Regarding the captured "military' by Iran; What a pathetic display from the British military. Suggest you change the color of the uniform to yellow, as in canary. Having grown up in Canada I remember well the quality of military there and also that of the UK. Too bad anyone can be in your military. Where are the leaders?

Nelson Gabert, San Clemente, CA., USA

Yes, how dare anyone profit from their own story before the vultures of the press have extracted the last drop of blood and the political class their last ounce of flesh. Shame, shame!

Sam Thornton, Burwell, Nebraska, USA

Having served I know there is a code of conduct to follow. No army anywhere in the world has a code of conduct that tells them to fold af the first sign of adversity. Compare the British navy and Royal Marines to our military prisoners in Viet Nam. Ours endured real torture, not just threats. John McCain even turned down a trip home, and was tortured some more. The code of conduct is there for precisely those times the English people faced. I can see the English code of conduct now, fold like an acordian at the first threat.
Those people betrayed all those who came before them and who paid the price for there freedom, yet were unwilling to pay the price for there own freedom.

clutch, montgomery, al

I can't believe the MOD initially went ahead and allowed them to sell their stories. Mind you for the majority of them, this will be like redundancy pay, as if you can't withstand Iranian interrogators then there is NO WAY they will be able to put up with the amount of stick they are about to receive when they get back to their respective unit/ship.
All in all a hugely embarrassing episode for the RN and RM.
Hopefully the woefully underfunded and shafted military may get some more money out of Tony and his cronies, however somehow i doubt it.

Crana - Geordie in USA, Raleigh, USA

The focus has been cleverly diverted away from the lack of action by those commanding and the ineffective rules of engagement. It is a sorry scenario when so many armchair critics can become so enraged about low ranking and lowly paid service personnel exploiting the system in the same way as any politician, civil servant or dole sponger would.

Sadly enough it also appears that so many out there are well versed with counter interrogation tactics of which navy receive no training at all. Why risk pain/possible torture when they generally don't know anything sensitive enough to withhold.

James, plymouth, uk

Generals regularly sell their stories, so did SAS man Andy MacNab.

Of course we are all sorry for those who suffered loss, but is it really so bad to let these few earn the equivalent of a small lottery prize?

There is too much jealousy and sour grapes in this discussion

Chris Clarke, Chappaqua , NY USA

It's good to see that the the English love their military so much. Imagine the absolute absurdity of it all, I daresay, too right, too right. Sitting there in that five star iranian hotel after going AWOL for that spot of tea, taking home all those dolce and gabana suits and gifts, THEN expectign both a medal for it and money for their tales? because they want to set record straight, well, pish posh on that nonsense, because the brits already know what's up.
You people are idiots. They were held as POWs, and psychologically tortured. The english media's already painted them all as cowards and traitors, before they were set free, now they go to set the records straight, and make some money? so what? You all think they're traitors who should be thrown out of the military, so how're they expected to get jobs elsewhere?
No wonder you've needed the US to save you in two world wars.

Yank, New Jersey, USA

A disgrace, a bloody disgrace............

Allan, Belfast, Northern Ireland

It seems that the MoD is as unfit for purpose as the Home Office.
Firstly, the fact that the personel were captured without a fight is embarrasing. It makes our forces look effete.
Secondly, the fact that the hostages broke to Iranian demands after not even a week in captivity is very telling. As if the Iranians didn't have enough to laugh at, they are gifted with another coup via slack discipline.
It is clear that decisive leadership is needed at the MoD in regards to training (particularly highlighting use of force and the rules of engagement with hostiles) and the traffic of information to the press.
Something must be salvaged from this debacle.

Mark Lamont, Northampton, England

"We should hold our heads in shame and this greed by sailors shows a total disrespect for Eleanor Dlugosz and other three soldiers who perished in Iraq."

The other three soldiers were Kris O'Neill, Adam Smith and Joanna Yorke Dyer.

They all deserve the same respect, recognition and gratitude.

Ian O'Neill, Denver, Colorado

My brother was one of the four killed along with Eleanor Dlugosz, and I agree with Ms. Veck. The fallen soldiers leave behind families and orphaned children with only a paltry bereavement pension on which to live, and yet these sailors are scraping in hundreds of thousands of pounds for no loss.

If these sailors had any integrity at all, this would not be an issue. And, if it is, the money from this type of thing should go, as many have stated in this thread, to those dependents left orphaned and bereft by the war. Not to line the pockets of those who came home safe and sound.

Ian O'Neill, Denver, Colorado

As far as I'm concerned the only people who are worth money are the 2 (of the 15) who didn't cave in and told the Iranians that they were Iranian waters, and gravel to them. (Assuming that they indeed were not in Iranian waters)

The others should not be paid for their cowardice. Moreover, and money exchanged from this should be given to charity.

I'm sure they'll all get their monies worth 5-10 years from now when Hollywood makes a movie on it. What a world we live in; the culture of "reality tv".

Penny , Clinton, New Jersey, U.S.

If she had stuck to number, rank and name and not disclosed that she was a mother etc her problems would have been considerably less. Perhaps she can donate the money to the HMS Cornwall fund for Escape & Evasion training which, it would seem, is sadly lacking.

David Mills, Altea , Spain

It must have been truly horrific for Arthur Batchelor to be called 'Mr Bean', and one can only imagine the trauma of having to wear a suit that didn't fit. The least the Iranians could have done was to get it tailored properly, and worst of all, the Hugo Boss shirt was fake - it is enough to merit calling for sanctions against Iran. He says he 'cried like a baby'. What is the UK government doing sending little boys who cry like babies out to fight an illegal occupation of a volatile part of the world?

Hannah, London, England

"Leading Seaman Turney defended the decision of the captives to sell their story, saying: “I want people to know the truth about what I’ve gone through, how I dealt with the situation and why.”

So tell the story! Why HAVE to sell? Shameful and disgusting. Worse than scum. NO pride, NO honor.

Ted, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Everybody has a "story" these days. But how is this even a real story? These "soldiers" act as if they did something honorable, but true honor would have been to refuse talking to that creep Ahmadinejad. Doesn't anybody realize that there is more honor in silence? It's obvious these "soldiers" serve their own self-interest, not their country.

Casey , Portland, U.S./OR

Watch out for Faye turning up on Celebrity Big Brother later in the year. Maybe Ant and Dec could do a Summer Special of 'I'm a Soldier in Afghanistan - Get Me Out of Here'. A hundred grand for the winner or a pass to Tessa Jowell's Super Casino.

Mike, Glasgow, Scotland

Watch out for Faye turning up on Celebrity Big Brother later this year. Or maybe Ant and Dec to do a special 'I'm a Soldier in Afghanistan - Get Me Out of Here'. What a disgusting farce. Thanks for another one, New Labour.

Mike, Glasgow, Scotland

Stunning how the press can bring a country to its knees. The illustrious military history of Britain seems but a myth now. Are you just going to sit back and take it? Have you no pride left to defend?

Simon Brandt, Huntsville, Alabama USA

What are the MOD actually doing?

Are they simply trying to demonize the "hostages"? It looks a wee bit like it.

Are they trying to put ALL the blame onto them? In other words, take the blame away from the commanders and so on.

I also note Government Ministers are lying low. Do they want the spotlight to fall on the hostages as well - as opposed to themselves?

How many frigates has the RN got now?

Jenny, Hull,

This shameful deal with ITV and the Sun is beyond belief. Ahmadinejad and the Iranian people must be laughing their heads off; and who can blame them.

Trevor Martindale, Romford, England

British Soldiers!!
Two weeks in a One-Star Hotel somewhere in Iran. Come and join us. When you return to your islands, newspapers and rainbow-press will offer you at least £50.000 .
What are you waiting for? Visit Iran!

Joachim Kappert, Gaia, Portugal

when Lawrence of Arabia wrote "The Mint" was the title reflecting life in the RAF or was it suggesting, prophetically, another source of income for the poorly paid serviceman?

john martin byrde, aljezur, Portugal

I can’t really see the problem in these servicemen telling their story and get paid for it. If people are interested in it and they are willing to describe what happen in Iran why should they be denied their free speech rights?

Tania, UK,

We are feeding the soap opera aspects of the Iranian hostage incident, drowning out the substantive issues in a torrent of the hostages' personal discomforts and justifications loaded with irrelevant detail.
This is far more skilful than a mere Government and top brass cover-up to avoid a Board of Inquiry into amongst other things; the Marines rules of engagement, why the British commander Commodore lambert did not use US and Australian naval units under his command, why he was attending to the needs of a BBC film crew etc.
Thus the rot which infects the very top of our Armed Forces will go unrecognised and unchecked. The weaknesses will remain unaddressed and the guilty will go unpunished.

chaplain, canterbury,

I have every sympathy with the 15 freed navy personnels but their plight was nothing compared to those who have given their lives for this illegal war in Iraq or have truly been captured and tortured for various reasons. Why are the British people so stupid and read the newspapers which will publish the stories of those detained. Why dont people protest with their pockets and not buy all those papers on the days the stories are published. This will send a clear signal to the newspapers that their readers are neither stupid or so naive to be reading accounts of how the marines played table tennis whilst in captivity and how horrible it was to be eating that Iranian food. I think this governement has lost all self respect along with certain sections of the media who will sink so low for their own means and political goals. God help us, we are becoming more and more Americanised every day and that can only mean disaster.

Noel Hague, London, United Kingdom

This is absolutely pathetic.If anything, reading the stories from the crew has shamed me.The stories prove that they were not treated badly.A few clicks of a gun getting adjusted and being told the other captors had been sent to England and being threatened by a jail term, is the worst it got .There was no mention of violence or torture and no bad intent towards Faye. Eventhough she feared rape, there was no reason for her to do so especially since Iran appointed a female to speak to her and to handle her. Their treatment was alot better than the way British treat their captors.

Also all the talk about why the suits they were given were cheap, and the shirts being FAKE Hugo boss, and the goodie bags not being very good.LISTEN TO YOURSELF!This is disgraceful but this is the kind of talk I would expect from the type of people who would cash in on the situation.

Is anyone going to ask them about the new vidoe footage that shows them together playing chess and looking relaxed?

sharon, London,

I just want to know one thing about the sailors' release: where did they get those suits?

Tom Meagher, Philadelphia, Pa

shes totaly right in what she says but on the other hand if these guys are switched on they will do it and give there money to COMBAT STRESS IN LEATHER HEAD the only charity that treats vetrans serving or not for PTSD .

mark graves, blandford forum, uk

Once again this Government has sunk to another new low. How much longer are we going to have to put up with a collection of Ministers who simply seem unable to 'do the right thing' and consider the sensitivities of others.

Barry Hannam, London, UK

The news papers will tell the papers story regardless
what purpose will it serve giving them interviews? I think if they are supposed to be sailors then they should sail and keep their mouths closed, the media is portraying them as hero's and a heronine, for what? they are not heroic at all but now are proving they are not fit for the armed forces either, the next thing will be them compensation seeking.
The worst part is if Iran capture anyone else especially a woman they will suffer endless humiliation and posibble torture from this pathetic mindless publicity stunt and frankly as members of the public we are not interested in the gory details,they take the pay they should take hte conditions and keep stum in the process....

Roy, Nottingham, UK

While I appreciate the propaganda benefits of allowing the hostages to tell their side of the story, no financial gain should have been allowed by the MOD. It should have been a condition of the interviews that any monies paid by the media were to go directly to those charities which provide support for disabled servicemen/women and their dependents. One can only imagine the feelings of those families whose sons and daughters have been killed in Iraq and elsewhere. Did no-one in the Government have the common sense to realise just how tawdry this whole episode was going to appear?

JIm Scott, Prestwick, Scotland

The attempt at playing the sympathy card is disgusting.

Faye says she was just playing the "dumb blonde" act to the Iranians.

What act is she playing to us now? She said she lied to them. How many lies is she telling us?

She just wants to tell her side of story, she says. What has that to do with money? Can she explain that?

Fiona, Dunbarton,

Plain civilian security guards, like those at shopping centers, would have been braver than these "marines". Whatever happened to rank and serial number? This puts Brittish forces to shame. What a load of whimps! And the MoD fare no better. You can tell who is responsible for this behaviour as the bosses are now showing what they are made of. No wonder things are going so terribly wrong with such an inept group in command. Selling stories! By God!

Bichufo Sbarro, Medellin, Colombia

David Hick's story WOULD be worth hearing. But he is forbidden to 'speak' to the media. I hope he writes instead! Then we might learn a whole lot more about psychological pressures, sleep deprivation, isolation etc etc. Might make the Iranians look like fairy godmothers!

Phil, Hong Kong,

There is plenty the Governtment could do to stop stories, they do it all the time when its in their interests, remember Lord Levy. As for relatives spilling the beans, newspapers don't give big money for 2nd hand stories as they cannot be coraborated.
The big problem is that now we are in situation where the Government will only allow stories that are in their favour to be released but stamp on any others that show it in abad light. It is blatant political inteference in the military.

Mark, Newcastle,

Thank god these seaman/woman were not defending the empire 50 odd years ago. Cant see many VCs being issued for this debacle

Brendan , Timaru,

Disgusted, lost all sympathy for them,
Yes let them tell their stories and donate the proceeds to services charities.

June, Wallasey, U.K.

Latest Flash: Oxford academics have uncovered papyri in an ancient chest of a sunken Phoenician ship. In it are the memoirs of Judas that after having been published in Jerusalem as a best seller were subsequently lost. It seems the Iscariot made millions of Schekels narrating the science of betrayal and the lesser known stigmas that Jesus would have liked to remain private, retired to a Villa in Capri and spent the rest of his long life admired as a succesful author and litterati atraction to herds of fans. In it, we learn of a planned sequel: "The Art of Kissing".

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

A typically new-labour attempt to spin the story has come completely unstuck. The servicemen/woman have come out of this looking rather pathetic and their stories sound exagerated and embarrassing. This totallly deflects from those who've shown true heroism in much more difficult situations.

Jose, London,

It is my opinion that the 15 should be greatful they walked away from the situation following some kind of underhand dealing between the governments. Not all our armed personnal are so lucky. They should count their blessings , not everything has a price ,and the selling of their experiences for payment ,certainly leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I would like to send my condolences to the families of four fallen soldiers , which barely got a mention due to the air time given to the 15. My prayers and thoughts are with you.


mother of Sgt Christian Hickey 97th British soldier to die in this unjust war.

Pauline Hickey, Bradford,

After being humiliated by the Iranians, who milked every drop of propaganda from this embarrassing affair, it has indisputably proved to the watching world that the United Kingdom is no longer a significant power! We can now only hallucinate about Naval reviews at Spithead, 25,000 troops parading before Indian King-Emperors, and gun boat diplomacy, which are long Gone With The Wind!

Lachie Todd, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.

What a surprise to see all the newspapers that failed to buy up the sailors' stories leading the criticism of those that succeeded. I bet the grapes are especially sour at Wapping.

Dan, Southampton, UK

I am so incensed by the way Britain's reputation abroad has been dragged through the mud for eight pieces of silver. It was bad enough that the MoD and/or Royal Navy was asleep at the switch when the crew was taken by the Iranians, but to now grant the Fifteen dispensation to earn six-figure sums for their "ordeal" is crass beyond measure. Tony Blair cannot do much now to improve our standing, but he could make a start by demanding the resignation of Des Browne and returning any fees already paid.

Mike Mitchell, Spalding, England

It is VERY easy for people sitting at home, in a comfortable, warm environment, behind a computer screen, to brand the captives cowards, But ask yourself what YOU would do if you thought somebody was about to shoot you. I don't think anybody can ever know, until they are in that situation themselves. These people fight for our freedom and safety every day of their lives, and to scathe them for it is hardly a grateful response. The people at fault are not necessarily the troops - it is difficult to say no to any easy £100,000, and weeks off work. It is those who have permitted this to happen, if anyone.

Jules, London, England

They can probably make some extra money by selling their Iranian goodies bag on Ebay. And those lovely 3-piece suits shud fetch a goodly sum for these heroic sailors.

Sam Deakins, Richmond, Kentucky

this is another example of how out of touch with the people of this country this government has become this decision is terrible. In service of their country they should all be equal why allow some to profit from war whilst others gave the ultimate sacrifice, I don't think this will go down well with their comrades.

terry, bath,

I really hope the sailors that do tell their stories, describe what they were made to do when being filmed doing all of those 'seemingly' pleasant activities. Iran continues to show footage of them laughing, playing table tennis, chess, etc....they will hopefully speak on how they forced them to do that, as well as everything else. This may be helpful, and should be emphasized as much as their treatment of isolation, threats, etc. I heaven't heard any comments on when they were being filmed. I am glad they survived, and that military action wasn't applied. It would strengthen their recollections to include the incidents of forced 'fake' filming of events...the public seems to not understand that part yet....In the end though, I am just glad they made it through. I can understand Turney wanting to be with her daughter...that motivation alone must have greatly affected her reasoning to want to get home. Thank God they're all home and safe...not Iran.

DW, Atlanta, Goergia / US

I'd like to think that soldiers were more brave than this - if, as outlined in the press conference, some were terrified by "weapons being cocked" behind them, they are probably in the wrong job. And being scared of an interviewer without even being beaten up or tortured with electric shocks, or being hung up by their arms for hours on end - that simply makes them sound like wusses. Perhaps these people should undergo a bit more rigorous training and be prepared for potential capture?

Paulina Smid, London, UK

For these people to sell their stories is obscene, quite frankly.

If you are in the forces then you are paid to do just that and nothing else. You are there to fight for your Country, not to become some form of cheap media whore. It is an insult to those who are being killed and injured in action every day and cheapens and degrades our armed forces, and our Country, to an even greater extent than than the Iranians have managed already.

These people should be back on their ship doing the job they are paid by us to do, not doing the international media circuit.

JonathanL, Newcastle, UK

I find it ironic that many of the politicians complaining about these hereos selling their story, because these sailors and marines are already being paid to do their duty.

Many of these political critics would be considerably poorer, if they were not paid for all the books, television programmes and newspaper articles they have been paid to produce about there political work. After all politicians are already well rewarded to do there duty to the nation.

I doubt Heseltine, Johnson, Hague etc would be prepared to give all their earnings about their political life to charity.

Also, I find it ironic of the newspapers, to act holier than thou, especially when they themselves did not get the story!

Nicholas Newman, Oxford, England

Allowing the sailors to profit from their captivity is completely in keeping with the mercenary nature of Britain's military role in the Middle East. From Mossadegh to Suez to Iraq and Afghanistan our country's troops have been sent to control other countries' natural resources for money. Why should anyone be surprised?

Paul Amery, London,

Not only is the selling of these stories abhorent, it will also have the unfortunate effect of helping to reinforce how hardline muslims in countries like Iran view the 'west': decadent, without morals and ready to do anything for a fiver.

John Dixon, London, UK

This ridiculous saga has gone far enough!
There is NOTHING that the MOD could do to stop the publication of events by any of the sailors - any one of them need only tell a relative, and let the relative do the "sell-out".
Good for them say I.
So, in that sense, the MOD is, in truth, simply reacting to the blindingly obvious.

However, more profound issues seem to have arisen. Examination of these reveals another hotbed of rank hypocrisy perpetrated by the usual suspects - the politicians!!. Examples:

1) The relatives of deceased soliers/forces personnel should think remember that Tony Blair continues to draw a nice fat salary (funded by the taxpayer) on the basis of lies to Parliament and rank deceit of the public about Iraq.
2) I also heard on BBC radio 4 this morning (9th April) torrents of condemnation from a Tory politician (namely Michael Heseltine) A bit rich this, considering his millions come from - yes - a publishing empire!!

Joseph White, Shepshed, nr LOUGHBORO', LEICS, UK

It is very typical for the Blairie´t way of "Labours" Britain.
Is there any feeling for Her Majesty´s subject or careing
for your fellow citizen? The honourable part of Great
Britain dosn´t think so!

S af Ugglas, NYHAMNSLAEGE, Sweden

I've always been very proud to be English and have always defended Britain's actions, reactions and traditions through thick and thin. It is therefore devastating to see how the Uk is heading steadily downwards and degrading itself whether it be via TV or the media in general. Watching the Big Brother circus excerpts, which is the pits when one judges the level of intellect etc. or the latest Iran episode which has made the UK look so useless and hapless, one is terribly saddened to watch helplessly how Britain is insulted and to cap it all the socalled "victims" are allowed to cash in. Doesn't Britain realise what they are doing in losing any respect they ever retained after the Thatcher period? The total lack of professionalism which allowed a bunch of young soldiers in rubber dinghies to be captured without any support is a catastrophe and indicates a total lack of solid thought behind their actions. They had absolutely no way of defending themselves and in a war zone to boot!!

Peter Garton, Koblenz, Germany

We do not know what these personnel have gone through, and until we have had the same experiences, I do not know how we can possibly criticize their actions. However, I, personally would have to be near death before I would do anything that would be unseemly, or put the military in a bad light. However that is probably because I am a very stubborn person.

G M S, omaha, Ne USA

I am profoundly sorry for the death of Ms. Dlugosz and any other service member of the UK and US armed forces. But neither Ms. Veck nor any parent of a killed service member should consider THEMSELVES free of blame. "Sense of duty"? To what? The last war that had any REAL purpose (ie. to stop the spreading of a madman across Europe) ended in 1945. Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and now Iraq, were all part of plans hatched in the warped minds in Washington and Langley. Like most idiocies coming from America, they were picked up by Downing Street and Whitehall. The parents of these killed or forever physically and psychologically crippled service members have FAILED to teach their children that these military actions are WRONG, legally, morally and otherwise. Like most Americans suffering from overdoses of testosterone, they really believed that it is a duty to the country to send their kids into these wars and now the CHILDREN have paid the price and the parents DO share the blame !!!

P Beck, London,

LS Turney says she wants people ' to know what she's gone through' - has she forgotten that as a servicewoman she is actually serving her country and therefore doing her job?

Carole Macpherson, Gramat, France

I think its a total disgrace they are allowed to sell their stories for personal gain. All the money raised should go towards providing better care for our wounded soldiers and to compensate those who have lost loved ones.

They may have been held hostage by Iran but who really are the true heroes - the 6 brave soldiers whose bodies are being flown back this week or the 15 smiling glad to be home sailors/marines. I admit they did go through some terrible moments but that doesnt compare to the families who will never see their sons/daughters/wives/husbands again.

Andrew, Dartford, UK

When I think of how these service personal were seen to behave whilst captive that coupled with the news they are to "sell" their story, I cannot help but think back to the "Human Shield" captives of the first gulf war and the young boy with whom Sadum Hussan tried to converse. Now years later I’m sure all can still remember this youngster and his show of defiance whilst being shown on television. Now compare this young boy to these service personal, sad that they will be thought of in a very different manner from this brave young boy.

JamesB, Wishaw,

Until now, most of us would have accepted the slightest justification for Turney's apparently over-eager capitulation. Upon the slightest evidence in her favor, we would have rallied strongly to her defense against any who criticized how she acted while she was in enemy hands.

But when Turney now conducts herself so disgracefully in perfect freedom, how can we possibly believe she acted any less ignobly under the duress of captivity?

Herman Jacobs, Houston, Texas

Clearly the Labour party (MOD) will lose no opportunity for propaganda and spin. The fact is we were humiliated by Iran thanks to Des Browne, Margaret Beckett and Tony Blair. In their desperation to get some good spin on this suddenly they allow these serving personnel to get their 30 pieces of silver.
Released at the same time as 4 service personnel were killed they should not profit from their experience and nor should Labour.

Richard K, Helsingborg, Sweden

It would appear that the Blair and New Labour's overweaning obsession with money has filtered down to Des Browne and the MoD and those serving in the forces.

While have have consistently defended the hostages for the manner in which they were captured, and their actions in custody, for some of them to seek profit from it is distasteful and disgusting. Those who have given their lives and those who have left limbs on the battlefield have certainly not profited from THEIR experiences.

It is simply absurd for Leading Seaman Turney to defend raking in £100,000 because, “I want people to know the truth about what I’ve gone through.” She could have do so for free!

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

It must come as a shock to return from being held captive to discover that the rest of the world has the impression that you have spent your time in comfortable surroundings, didturbed only by the odd TV interview during which you said whatever your capotors wanted you to say. It is natural therefore, to want to put your side of the story in order that you can square away your own conscience - after all the fundamental principle behind the very limited conduct after capture training given in the RN is to 'survive with honour'.

Whilst we cannot control the media in these days of the instant celebrity, I do hope that those concerned have a good hard look at themselves before committing to any one course of action. I would like to think they would do the right thing, but if any one of them should profit personally through greed then this, in a week when yet more body bags have been filled in Iraq, would leave me ashamed to be wearing the same uniform

Richard, Baghdad,

Is it just me or does anyone else not think that there might be a bit of a competition now to give good, juicy and maybe a bit exaggerated stories. Obviously newspapers are paying for an interesting story.

sharon, London,

The forces will now be competing to get "captured". Not a bad deal. 100,00 pounds for 2 weeks captivity plus a hero's homecoming, new suits, and a bag of goodies to boot! Hurrah! Run for the border!

Al, Portland, USA

"Mr Bean" really does run the British government! Total bumbling incompetence from your leaders.

Al, Portland, USA

Any money received by these people for selling their story should be given to a Servicemen's and Servicewomen's charity.

JOHN GIBBS, MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

This is utterly disgraceful. If the sailors were up for few more days, it seems they have made even more money. Next time squaddies will get caught on purpose by the Iranians and will be quids in.

This money making spree was sanctioned by Blair or by MOD with Blair's blessing. The reason for this disgraceful behaviour is to gain propaganda mileage which Blair so badly lost to the Iranians. We should hold our heads in shame and this greed by sailors shows a total disrespect for Eleanor Dlugosz and other three soldiers who perished in Iraq.

Anil , Watford,

Bravo Mrs Veck.You have given true perspective to this story and shamed those selling their "stories"

Kevin, Vancouver, canada

Being in the armed forces like any other job requires dedication and pride. Everyone serves their country in one form or another. These people put their lives on the line to protect our country's interests, the least we can do is allow them the right to sell their own personal stories or not which ever the case may be. Just because they are in the armed services doesn't mean that they should be selfless saints. After all if they didn't get a salery they wouldn't be there in the first place.

Lesley, London, United Kingdom

It is absolutely wrong for those people to be allowed to sell their stories while thy are serving members of the Armed Forces, or indeed ,for a substantial period of time after they leave.
They seem to have no concern for those serving in the UK Forces who might unfortunately find themselves in a similar situation.How will the protagionasts act then in responce to requests for immedionate release?

Brendan Greer, Donaghadee, Co Down