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Released navy crew return to UK Freed crew reunited with family
(20 minutes later)
The 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held in Iran for almost two weeks have landed at a military base in Devon. The 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held in Iran for almost two weeks are being reunited with their families.
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 will be reunited with their families at a Royal Marines base in Chivenor and will be de-briefed. They were then flown to a Royal Marines base in Devon to see friends and relatives, and to be de-briefed.
Tony Blair welcomed their return but accused elements of the Iranian regime of supporting terrorism in Iraq.Tony Blair welcomed their return but accused elements of the Iranian regime of supporting terrorism in Iraq.
'Dual strategy''Dual strategy'
In a press conference given outside Downing Street, the UK prime minister said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed". In a press conference given outside Downing Street, the prime minister said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed".
He said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release.He said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release.
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".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".
The crew are being flown by helicopter from HeathrowThe crew are being flown by helicopter from Heathrow
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".
However, he said it was "too early to say" whether the UK troops had been killed by Iranian-backed insurgents.However, 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 and travelled in first class.At about 0800 local time (0530 BST) they boarded a British Airways flight bound for London and travelled in first class.
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 SwanseaGavin CavendishChristopher 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 Shropshire Profiles of navy personnel Two versions of eventsCAPTURED 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 SwanseaGavin CavendishChristopher 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 Shropshire Profiles of navy personnel Two versions of events
At Heathrow Airport, the group briefly lined up in front of cameras and media before boarding helicopters.At Heathrow Airport, the group briefly lined up in front of cameras and media before boarding helicopters.
They were then flown to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, in Devon, where they will be reunited with their families, de-briefed and given thorough health checks. They were then flown to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, in Devon, where they are being reunited with their families.
A de-briefing will then take place and they will undergo health checks.
BBC correspondents say military chiefs will be keen to assess the physical and psychological impact captivity has had on the crew.BBC correspondents say military chiefs will be keen to assess the physical and psychological impact captivity has had on the crew.
Royal Marine Adam Sperry's family watched his return to the UK on television at home in Leicester.Royal Marine Adam Sperry's family watched his return to the UK on television at home in Leicester.
His aunt, Theresa Fowler, told BBC News: "We are just longing to see him and put our arms around him and give him a kiss."His aunt, Theresa Fowler, told BBC News: "We are just longing to see him and put our arms around him and give him a kiss."
And Margaret Sperry, his grandmother, said it had been an emotional and difficult time for the family.And Margaret Sperry, his grandmother, said it had been an emotional and difficult time for the family.
"I don't think I would have ever gone out of the door again if anything had happened to him," she said."I don't think I would have ever gone out of the door again if anything had happened to him," she said.
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."
HAVE YOUR SAY The UK government and its forces have been made to look like total fools Bob, Dundee Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The UK government and its forces have been made to look like total fools Bob, Dundee Send us your comments
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.