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A mistake, admits Blair

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday admitted that it was not "a good idea'' to have allowed British sailors, freed by Iran, to sell their stories to the media in what was seen as an implied criticism of Defence Secretary Des Browne who was reported to be fighting to keep his job in the wake of the storm over the issue.

In his first public comment since the cash-for-stories scandal broke a week ago, Mr. Blair pointedly distanced himself from the controversial decision saying he did not know about it "until after it was taken''.

Mr. Blair, who had been under pressure to clarify his role, said:

"I didn't actually know about the decision until after it was taken... The navy took the view that it was better to manage the situation. With hindsight was that a good idea? No.''

His remarks came as Mr. Browne accepted full responsibility for the decision which led two sailors, Faye Turney and Arthur Batchelor, to sell their stories to newspapers and television provoking an angry reaction from across the political spectrum.

Detention

The two were among the 15 who spent two weeks in detention in Iran after they were seized for allegedly violating Iranian territorial waters. Mr. Browne said though the decision was taken by the navy, he did not want to pass the buck.

"I said at the outset although this was a navy decision, I have to take responsibility for it, and I don't seek to hide behind the fact that the navy made the decision. Ultimately the buck stops here,'' he said.

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