British Defence Secretary bans troops selling stories

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Britain's defence secretary announced Monday that military personnel have been banned from selling their stories to the media, after his department was slammed for permitting sailors held by Iran last month to accept payment for interviews.

Des Browne said the Royal Navy had "not reached a satisfactory outcome" in its decision to allow the 14 men and one woman held by Tehran for two weeks to financially benefit from their media interaction, though he acknowledged it was a "very tough call."

The row erupted over the weekend after the defence ministry made the unusual decision to permit the group to strike deals with newspapers and broadcasters, saying there were "exceptional circumstances." The ban will not be enforced retroactively.

It later...