http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1626726.ece

Critics claimed it had become a media circus, with one former British commander saying the released hostages were behaving like reality TV contestants. Others said they were being used as pawns in the propaganda war with Iran. But some former soldiers said it was a shrewd move by the MoD to control publication of the captives’ stories.

Originally Posted by halo_jones

Originally Posted by _Artemis_

Was this much of a fuss kicked up when Private Beharry VC effectively sold his story when he wrote his book? Is the problem any member of the Forces having a first-hand account published for money, or specifically these personnel?

Completly different circumstances i think!

That's what I was getting at: from poster's responses on here, it seems to be the case that it's the stories themselves (or the circumstances, if you like) that make the difference, rather than the principle of serving personnel selling their stories per se. Clearly it can't be the principle, since Beharry wasn't castigated (IIRC) - rightly, in my view - for publishing his story.

Originally Posted by Richard_North

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/08/nturney08.xml

Leading Seaman Turney, who was paraded on Iranian television during her captivity, is understood to have agreed a lucrative deal with ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald for a special programme to be broadcast tomorrow evening.

It is thought the deal will also involve an interview with a tabloid newspaper. A source at the MoD said it involved a "life-changing sum".

...It is understood that she was offered more than £100,000 to describe exclusively her experiences of the hostage crisis and the deal with ITV and the newspaper, believed to be The Sun, is thought to be worth a substantial amount.

That's inflation for you... used to be forty pieces of silver.

http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/200...some-ploy.html

I think it's a disgrace that the MOD have given them the go-a-head to sell their stories. But, then I wonder what the majority of the posters on this thread would do if it were them. After all, I should imagine it's pretty easy to change/go back on ones morals when it comes to that much money... Especially when all they have to do is a couple of TV/tabloid interviews.

Please let some of the 'Facts?' reported in this article just be media spin, I am Fcuking speachless ;(

What's this crap about 'hostages'. What hostages? Did I miss something?

Then again, it is Rupert Murdoch's Sunday Times.....not exactly the last bastion of respectable journalism. At least not since he got his filthy, dirty, sweaty, pus-filled, purulent, syphillis ridden, sh1t stained, vomit laden hands on it.

It may be some sort of PR offensive, quickly dreamt up by the MOD's(or No 10's) finest press monkeys. Designed to counter the script reading that happened at Friday's press conference.

As an armchair warrior, who's soldiering days are past, I won't comment on the issues regarding CAC. But as a now fully paid up member of the Great British public, I really dont want them selling stories whilst serving for cash, and that includes VC winners.

Its smells bad, especially having lost 4 good people in Basra in the same week. I worry what the effect will be on the majority of the British Public who have no comprehension of military life, I suspect it will cheapen their view of it.

Heard on the radio this morning (Five Live) that the MOD has allowed the former hostages to sell their stories, citing "extraordinary circumstances".

From todays Times-

One of the hostages, Dean Harris, 30, an acting sergeant in the Royal Marines, told a Sunday Times reporter yesterday: “I want £70,000. That is based on what the others have told me they have been offered. I know Faye has been offered a heck more than that. I am worth it because I was one of only two who didn’t crack.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1626726.ece

Classy.

They should be expelled from the Armed Forces first. Maybe HMS Cornwall could make a series like The Loveboat or be used for Big Brother ?

This debacle is descending into farce....the Royal Navy seems intent on becoming a complete laughing-stock

What a disgrace to the uniform.