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Iran airs second sailor 'apology' Iran airs second sailor 'apology'
(40 minutes later)
A second member of the Royal Navy crew captured in the Gulf has apologised for trespassing in Iranian waters, in a broadcast on Iranian television. A second member of the Royal Navy crew captured in the Gulf has apologised for "trespassing" in Iranian waters, in a broadcast on Iranian television.
He was quoted as saying: "We entered Iranian waters without permission and were arrested by Iranian coastguards. He says: "We trespassed... I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission."
"I would like to apologise to the Iranian people for that." The crewman, one of 15 seized seven days ago, is named by Iran as Nathan Thomas Summers.
The Foreign Office described the latest "confession" video as "disgraceful exploitation". The UK denies the crew had trespassed. The Foreign Office described the latest video as "disgraceful exploitation". The UK denies the crew had trespassed.
Iranian state news agency IRNA named the crewman as Nathan Thomas Summers. I deeply apologise for entering your waters Nathan Thomas Summers on Iranian TV
On Wednesday, the only woman, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, was shown on Iranian TV making similar comments. The UK denies the crew had trespassed. On Wednesday, the only woman among the 15 navy personnel, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, from Shropshire, was shown on Iranian TV making similar comments.
The latest video came as Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called on Britain to apologise to Tehran. In the latest video, the sailor, who is also shown with LS Turney and another British sailor, says: "We trespassed without permission.
On Friday, the UN Security Council agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's actions. "Since we've been arrested in Iraq our treatment has been very friendly. We have not been harmed at all. They've looked after us really well.
The statement also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel and an "early resolution" including release of the crew, but stops short of "deploring" Iran's action, as requested by the UK. "The food they've been serving us is good and I am grateful that no harm has come to us.
Iran said it was not helpful to try to engage third parties in the dispute. "I would just like to apologise for entering your waters without permission. And that happened back in 2004, and the government promised that it wouldn't happen again.
Later, European Union foreign ministers are expected to express their solidarity with Britain, at a meeting in Germany, over the detention of the navy crew. "Again I deeply apologise for entering your waters."
The Foreign Office said a "formal note" had been sent to the British embassy by the Iranian government.
ConfidentialConfidential
A spokeswoman said: "Such exchanges are always confidential, so we cannot divulge any details, but we are giving the message serious consideration and will soon respond formally to the Iranian government." As the video was released, the Iranian embassy in London published a copy of a note from Iran to the UK government.
Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the note may contain "matters of substance" which may be the beginning of a "proper exchange" and could "offer the possibility of a solution". In it Iran condemns the "illegal act" by British naval personnel.
The note does not demand an apology, although earlier Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did call on Britain to apologise to Tehran.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said that such exchanges were always confidential but it would give the message "serious consideration" and would soon respond formally.
UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters UK version in more detail
Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the note may be the beginning of a "proper exchange" and could "offer the possibility of a solution".
Earlier, the UN Security Council agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's actions.
The statement also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel and urges an "early resolution", including release of the crew, but stops short of "deploring" Iran's action, as requested by the UK.
Iran said it was not helpful to try to engage third parties in the dispute.
European Union foreign ministers are expected to express their solidarity with the UK, at a meeting in Germany, over the detention of the navy crew.
This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels. Iran's UN missionThis case can and should be settled through bilateral channels. Iran's UN mission
On a visit to British troops in Afghanistan on Friday, Chancellor Gordon Brown welcomed the UN resolution.On a visit to British troops in Afghanistan on Friday, Chancellor Gordon Brown welcomed the UN resolution.
He said: "The UN resolution is calling definitively for [the navy crew's] release. That's the unanimous view of the international community."He said: "The UN resolution is calling definitively for [the navy crew's] release. That's the unanimous view of the international community."
Mr Brown described the treatment of captured Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, an interview with whom has been shown on Iranian TV, as "cruel, callous, inhuman and unacceptable". Mr Brown described the treatment of captured Leading Seaman Turney as "cruel, callous, inhuman and unacceptable".
Responding to the UN statement, David Cameron, the Conservative leader, said: "Really there's only one right outcome to this which is for Iran to release those people that they took captive, that they should be released without any further ado. It's as clear and as simple as that."Responding to the UN statement, David Cameron, the Conservative leader, said: "Really there's only one right outcome to this which is for Iran to release those people that they took captive, that they should be released without any further ado. It's as clear and as simple as that."
The British ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, said the UN's statement was a "good outcome" for the UK. Revolutionary Guards
Sir Emyr added that it sent the "right message" to Iran to allow access to the sailors and marines, and secure their prompt release.
UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters UK version in more detail
The UK failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring Iran's actions, following opposition led by Russia.The UK failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring Iran's actions, following opposition led by Russia.
Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels.Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels.
"The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful.""The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful."
The UN Security Council statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations on Thursday.The UN Security Council statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations on Thursday.
The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized a week ago by Iranian Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized a week ago by Iranian Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.
Iran says they had strayed into Iranian territorial waters, a claim which the UK has denied. Iran says they had strayed into Iranian territorial waters.
Earlier this week, the Royal Navy produced satellite data it said proved its case. Earlier this week, the Royal Navy produced satellite data it said proved they did not.