Conduct unbecoming | 14 April 2007

Monday was ‘National Nuclear Day’ in Iran. In Britain, with the paid appearance of Leading Seaman Faye Turney on television, it was national humiliation day. The abduction three weeks ago of 15 British sailors and marines by a hostile regime was, at best, a misfortune; the decision of Ms Turney and Operator Mechanic Arthur Batchelor to profit from their experience was a disgrace. That the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence thought it appropriate — even for a day — for the sailors to sell their stories demonstrates just how deeply British society has been corrupted by the twin cults of celebrity and victimhood.

That’s not to say that the whole episode reflects poorly on the sailors and marines. Contrary to some tub-thumping commentary, they had little choice but to surrender. Blame for what happened lies not with the service personnel but with the rules of engagement under which they operated, and the lack of protection afforded them by the Royal Navy. Yet on their return they should have maintained a dignified silence. They did not. The revelation in the Mirror from Mr Batchelor that he cried himself to sleep at night shows that in weep-in-the-Diary-Room Britain, dignity is cheap. We have forgotten that there are some things best kept private, best not ‘shared’. These tawdry confessions speak clearly of weakness and encourage our enemies in their belief that we are too decadent a society to defend ourselves. Such actions endanger British troops as surely as the disclosure of operational information.

In our disgust, however, we must not forget the operational failings that led to their being captured in the first place. The navy must explain why these sailors were left without air support and how armed Iranian vessels managed to enter Iraqi waters undetected. This information is needed not for some ‘pour encourager les autres’ court-martial but to prevent a repeat of any such incident.