Hostages sell their Stories - Views

**ap1** · 10-04-2007, 11:43

Views?

Embarrassing, poorly handled by the MOD. Too many civvy spin doctors involved. The 2 sailors do the serving members of the armed forces no credit. Its a disaster for the RN, they have a made themselves a laughing stock in the eyes of much of the public. ............................Toecurling

So glad that the Army was not involved.

**5haron** · 10-04-2007, 12:42

Agree with you to a point, on the other hand the offer of 150.000 pounds would be very hard to turn down on their salary.
The rules'll have to be re-thunk, ensuring any military personell with a sensation to sell can't. Isn't it contractual anyway, don't serving individuals have to abide by an official secrets act?
What will happen to these two marines now?

Paul Hinge · 10-04-2007, 13:19

Sharon your absolutely correct about the Offical Secrets Act but unknowing to everyone in the UK whether or not serving or non-serving members of the Armed Forces or Security Services,we are all bound by it. The signing of a piece of paper to say your bound by the act is just wallpaper!
I'm a sceptic (as ever) I think this leaking/selling of the stories of the youngest member and the only female was supported by Government in to get information out into the public arena on how hostages are treated by Middle Eastern regimes. It's all part of the propaganda war being waged by the Blair/Bush Governments.

Hingey

**brian olly algate** · 10-04-2007, 15:00

hi al, greetings from Berlin, This story was in the german papers aswell, i agree with u
the RN made a laughing stock of their selves

**DP43** · 10-04-2007, 15:47

I must admit I don't think there is much of a story to sell, apart from a womens magazine dealing with the emotional aspect of the female sailor and her child (no offence intended to the ladies on this site), the real story is in the release of an Irian diplomat held by Iraq a day or so after the sailors were released. What deals were done there I wonder?
As for the money aspect of being paid for your story, there is no price on dignity.......rant over.

**benney** · 10-04-2007, 17:08

Best Of Luck To Them All If Certain Over Ranks Can Make Cash From Their Time In The Forces Then Why Not

**dutchman** · 10-04-2007, 19:56

a few points
1- is there any training given as to how onmust act in a situation like this (other than special forces) if not then who are we to slate or ridicule them if we don't know the psychological pressure applied on them

2- i agree with any other ranks making a buck out of this , as someone else commented the higher ranks do it all the time

3- definitely a p r stunt on behalf of this inept government , blair must have been rubbing his hands with glee as soon as he found out a woman was involved.

when all is said and done they are home safe , if they smiled and lied on tv who cares certainley not their families who have them back , i for on could'nt give a monkees if they make money best of luck to them

**ap1** · 10-04-2007, 20:19

Originally Posted by dutchman

a few points
1- is there any training given as to how onmust act in a situation like this (other than special forces) if not then who are we to slate or ridicule them if we don't know the psychological pressure applied on them

2- i agree with any other ranks making a buck out of this , as someone else commented the higher ranks do it all the time

They obviously lack Conduct after Capture training. Although the booties would have certainly received it. My comments made no mention of their conduct during their incarcaration, that is for the military to decide, I only highlighted their media appearances since.

You and others are right about high ranking officers raking it in with their memoirs. Though there is a difference, in that the officers had resigned. De Billiare, Jackson, McNab and others had all left the services when their stories were published. The only recent one I'm aware of that bucks that trend is Beharry VC, and although I'm not too keen on that either, I can understand why he was given dispensation to write his memoir whilst serving.

In a week where 4 members of the services died in Iraq, its all seems a little obscene. Its clearly been a massive PR disaster for the RN, otherwise the MOD wouldn't have done a very public U turn.

Smokeyjoe · 11-04-2007, 00:08

I agree with most of the comments so far, I do not wish to upset anyone but I have to say placing a female in the position to be captured gives any potential enemy a distinct propaganda advantage, in particular in Muslim countries.
I do think that our servicewomen do a very valuable job, however I do not agree with young mothers with children in the services's, and I certainly do not agree with serving personnel selling their story's, after all those who have died dont get that oppurtunity, sorry but that is my view.
Regards,
Joe.

rolli25 · 11-04-2007, 00:28

I agree with Al that the official secrets act has been shown to be non effective; I had to sign a confidentiality clause with my last unit that I could not publish anythting without their permission and if I didnt sign it I would be discharged hence, that had no clout as well if you took it to the courts as you had to no choice in other but sign it in real terms.

The bottom line is that they were given permission and I don my cap to those officers and gentlemen who gave their wares to the british legion or local cahrity etc however could any of us turn down £150K probably not