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16/04/2007
Defence Secretary to face critics over Iran row
The Defence Secretary Des Browne is set for a make-or-break showdown with critics over allowing UK sailors freed by Iran to sell their stories to newspapers.
Mr Browne will attempt to justify his handling of the controversy in a Commons debate.
He has already admitted responsibility for the decision but the Conservatives say he must justify his actions.
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said: "Let's not forget the essential thing is that 15 of our personnel were taken captive and they were released safe and unharmed. We got them back without any deal at all, and we got them back safe. That was the priority we had throughout."
Mr Browne is expected to promise MPs a full Navy inquiry, and although he accepts overall responsibilty for the error on story sales, it was the Navy who took the actual decision.
(CD/JM)
Mr Browne will attempt to justify his handling of the controversy in a Commons debate.
He has already admitted responsibility for the decision but the Conservatives say he must justify his actions.
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said: "Let's not forget the essential thing is that 15 of our personnel were taken captive and they were released safe and unharmed. We got them back without any deal at all, and we got them back safe. That was the priority we had throughout."
Mr Browne is expected to promise MPs a full Navy inquiry, and although he accepts overall responsibilty for the error on story sales, it was the Navy who took the actual decision.
(CD/JM)
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11 April 2007
Browne: 'The buck stops here'
Defence Secretary Des Browne has said that he takes full responsibility for decisions, which allowed two members of the British naval crew held captive in Iran to sell their stories. Speaking in his first interview since the row, Mr Browne said that he had been asked to note the navy's decision to allow the freed personnel to sell their stories.
Browne: 'The buck stops here'
Defence Secretary Des Browne has said that he takes full responsibility for decisions, which allowed two members of the British naval crew held captive in Iran to sell their stories. Speaking in his first interview since the row, Mr Browne said that he had been asked to note the navy's decision to allow the freed personnel to sell their stories.
06 July 2006
Decision on Afghanistan troop deployment 'soon'
The British Government is considering sending more troops to Aghanistan, following a major upsurge in Taliban attacks. Defence Secretary Des Browne told Parliament today that he had "received advice on additional deployment and I am considering it, as a matter of urgency, with the Chiefs of Staff.
Decision on Afghanistan troop deployment 'soon'
The British Government is considering sending more troops to Aghanistan, following a major upsurge in Taliban attacks. Defence Secretary Des Browne told Parliament today that he had "received advice on additional deployment and I am considering it, as a matter of urgency, with the Chiefs of Staff.
15 June 2006
More troops sent to Afghanistan
The British government is to increase the size of the contingent of troops serving in Afghanistan. The move comes to reinforce positions around the Kandahar airfield with an extra 130 troops from the RAF Regiment.
More troops sent to Afghanistan
The British government is to increase the size of the contingent of troops serving in Afghanistan. The move comes to reinforce positions around the Kandahar airfield with an extra 130 troops from the RAF Regiment.
07 March 2008
Brown Enters RAF Uniform Row
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has entered the row over military uniforms, following reports that RAF service personnel from a Cambridgeshire base have been told to wear civilian dress on off-duty trips to town.
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown has entered the row over military uniforms, following reports that RAF service personnel from a Cambridgeshire base have been told to wear civilian dress on off-duty trips to town.
26 July 2005
BP reports record half-year profits
BP has reported record profits of $10.7 billion (£6 billion) for the first half of 2005. This represents a massive hike in profits for the comparable period for 2004 as the oil giant benefits from a rising demand for oil around the world.
BP reports record half-year profits
BP has reported record profits of $10.7 billion (£6 billion) for the first half of 2005. This represents a massive hike in profits for the comparable period for 2004 as the oil giant benefits from a rising demand for oil around the world.
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