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Released navy crew return to UK Released navy crew return to UK
(20 minutes later)
The 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held captive in Iran for almost two weeks have landed in London.The 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held captive in Iran for almost two weeks have landed in London.
The crew, freed by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "gift" to the British people on Wednesday, touched down at Heathrow Airport at 1200 BST.The crew, freed by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "gift" to the British people on Wednesday, touched down at Heathrow Airport at 1200 BST.
They are now being flown to a Royal Marines base in Devon where they will be reunited with their families.They are now being flown to a Royal Marines base in Devon where they will be reunited with their families.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed".UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed".
'Dual strategy''Dual strategy'
In a press conference given outside Downing Street as the plane touched down, Mr Blair said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release.In a press conference given outside Downing Street as the plane touched down, Mr Blair said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release.
CAPTURED NAVY PERSONNEL Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham in CheshireMark Banks, 24, of Lowestoft, SuffolkPaul Barton, of Southport, MerseysideArthur Batchelor, 20, of PlymouthFelix Carman, 26, of SwanseaChristopher Coe, 31, of HuddersfieldDean Harris, 24, of Carmarthen, west WalesAndrew HendersonSimon MasseyDanny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, AyrshireAdam Sperry, 22, of Wigston, near LeicesterNathan Summers, of Hayle, CornwallJoe Tindell, 21, of south LondonFaye Turney, 26, originally from ShropshireOne captive remains unnamed class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6518203.stm">Profiles of navy personnel class="" href="/1/hi/world/6502805.stm">Two versions of events He contrasted the rejoicing at the return of the crew with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act".
Mr Blair contrasted the rejoicing at the return of the crew with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act". Leading Seaman Faye Turney was shown on Iranian television
And he repeated allegations that there were "elements of the Iranian regime" that were "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq".And he repeated allegations that there were "elements of the Iranian regime" that were "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq".
Although he said it was "too early to say" whether the UK troops had been killed by Iranian-backed insurgents.
The prime minister said the government had pursued a "dual-track strategy" of remaining open to dialogue with Iran, while "mobilising international support and pressure".The prime minister said the government had pursued a "dual-track strategy" of remaining open to dialogue with Iran, while "mobilising international support and pressure".
"In my view it would be utterly naive to believe that our personnel would have been released unless both elements of the strategy had been present.""In my view it would be utterly naive to believe that our personnel would have been released unless both elements of the strategy had been present."
Defence Secretary Des Browne said the navy crew, most of whom are in their 20s, had "acted with immense courage and dignity".Defence Secretary Des Browne said the navy crew, most of whom are in their 20s, had "acted with immense courage and dignity".
De-briefingDe-briefing
The navy personnel arrived at Tehran Airport early on Thursday in a fleet of official cars after 13 days in Iranian custody.The navy personnel arrived at Tehran Airport early on Thursday in a fleet of official cars after 13 days in Iranian custody.
At about 0800 local time (0530 BST) they boarded a British Airways flight bound for London.At about 0800 local time (0530 BST) they boarded a British Airways flight bound for London.
CAPTURED NAVY PERSONNEL Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham in CheshireMark Banks, 24, of Lowestoft, SuffolkPaul Barton, of Southport, MerseysideArthur Batchelor, 20, of PlymouthFelix Carman, 26, of SwanseaChristopher Coe, 31, of HuddersfieldDean Harris, 24, of Carmarthen, west WalesAndrew HendersonSimon MasseyDanny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, AyrshireAdam Sperry, 22, of Wigston, near LeicesterNathan Summers, of Hayle, CornwallJoe Tindell, 21, of south LondonFaye Turney, 26, originally from ShropshireOne captive remains unnamed Profiles of navy personnel Two versions of events
They are now being flown by helicopter to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor in Devon, where they will be de-briefed and given thorough health checks.They are now being flown by helicopter to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor in Devon, where they will be de-briefed and given thorough health checks.
BBC correspondents say military chiefs will be keen to assess the physical and psychological impact captivity has had on the crew before reuniting them with their families.BBC correspondents say military chiefs will be keen to assess the physical and psychological impact captivity has had on the crew before reuniting them with their families.
Iranian television has broadcast pictures and statements from several members of the crew, including the only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney.Iranian television has broadcast pictures and statements from several members of the crew, including the only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney.
Before they left Tehran, she was shown saying: "Apologies for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."Before they left Tehran, she was shown saying: "Apologies for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."
Commentators are divided over whether the release represents a diplomatic triumph for the UK, or a public relations coup for the Iranian president.Commentators are divided over whether the release represents a diplomatic triumph for the UK, or a public relations coup for the Iranian president.
The 15 service personnel had disembarked from HMS Cornwall in the Gulf when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard on 23 March.The 15 service personnel had disembarked from HMS Cornwall in the Gulf when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard on 23 March.
The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory.The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory.