DEFENCE: Military personnel banned from selling stories to media

The Defence Secretary, Des Browne, has banned military personnel from selling their stories to the media pending a review. The decision follows the growing criticism that three of the sailors who were held by Iran were paid to describe their experiences. Mr Browne said the navy had faced a "very tough call" over its decision to allow the captives to take payments. One them of them, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, is reported to have received a six figure sum to speak to the Sun newspaper and ITV1's 'Tonight' programme, a decision she has defended. Parents of service personnel killed fighting in Iraq have criticised the payments.

ITN Source | April 9, 2007