Apr 05 2007
Questions now the sailors are released
I have kept my silence over the hostages in Iran whilst our sailors were still at risk, as has the Conservative party generally. As it seemed likely the government was going to use diplomatic means to seek to get them back it was vital that the Uk looked united, and that there were as few noises off as possible.
Now they are all safely on a BA flight to London we need to begin the inquiry into how it happened and how the government responded. The UK has been made to look weak and directionless in the crisis. 15 of our armed forces have been used as pawns in one of the most cynical propoganda manoeuvres we have seen for a long time. The world has been treated to endless pictures of British sailors apologising to the Iranian state and admitting guilt when the official government position has been that they were doing their duty for the United Nations and were seized illegally.
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John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College...
At the very least, yes. Well said.
We’re paying through the nose for the UN and the EU. Wouldn’t that money be better spent on hospitals, education, the NHS and our depleted, under-equipped armed forces?
Redwood: “Why was there no effective air cover or other support for the sailors on the search mission?”
John, you are talking as if Cornwall was the only allied asset in the Gulf. In fact Commodore Nick Lambert was the commander of the multinational force in the Gulf. He had at his disposal all the assets of the US, UK and any other members with a contingent in the Gulf.
Are you really suggesting Lambert was refused a request ( he was in command ) for tactical backup?
The question is was such an order issued? If not, why not?
With regard to point 9. It illustrates just how useless the EU is in circumstances where we need or want support, they have refused to impose sanctions on Iran, they produce the most pathetic statement on the issue. The EU is a mill stone around our neck, not an asset.
11. How much training do our troops go through to resist such propaganda campaigns?
12. In the new media age, shouldn’t such training be a fundameantal training requirement?