Browne tells MPs ‘I made a mistake’
The defence secretary Des Browne admitted to MPs on Monday that he “made a mistake” over the media handling of the Iran detainees.
Addressing a packed House of Commons, Mr Browne said he was “sorry” for the cash-for-stories row and the subsequent damage it has caused to the “hard won” reputation of the armed forces.
Despite accepting responsibility for the week-long controversy, Mr Browne showed no signs of resigning over the matter and instead launched a full investigation into the hostage crisis, as well as confirming a small team will examine the media decisions.
Conservative shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said that “in more honourable times” Mr Browne’s resignation would have been “inevitable”.
“His position is becoming untenable, as he cannot command the necessary confidence in his decision making,” Mr Fox argued.
The Conservatives had been calling for Mr Browne’s resignation if he failed to provide a satisfactory account of who approved the request from two of the sailors taken hostage to sell their stories, and why the government appeared to reverse the decision.
However, the Liberal Democrats’ defence spokesman Nick Harvey said Mr Browne should not resign over the media handling, while Mr Blair and his cabinet, who had led the country into the original conflict, are still in power.
Mr Browne confirmed to MPs today that the navy had made the original decision to approve the sale and he had been informed in a note that it believed media cooperation was permissible and practical.
The detained sailors wanted to “set the record straight” over their actions in Iran, he explained, and all concerned in approving the sale had “acted in good faith and out of a desire to protect the individuals”.
“I accept that in retrospect I should have rejected the note and overruled the decision,” Mr Browne said, before adding, “the circumstances were exceptional, and the pressure on the families was intense.”
Mr Blair was informed of Mr Browne’s concerns on Monday, he confirmed, adding this was the prime minister’s only involvement in the issue.
The defence secretary concluded: “I take responsibility for what happened over last weekend. I have acted to put it right. I have acted to make sure we learn the lessons of the whole episode, in a manner that allows for full parliamentary scrutiny.”
MPs had also raised concerns that the media furore risked overshadowing the sailors’ detention.
Mr Browne attempted to appease critics by announcing a full inquiry into the capture, headed by lieutenant general Sir Rob Fulton of the Royal Marines, currently the governor general of Gibraltar.
Because it deals with ongoing military operations, Mr Browne said the inquiry, which will take six weeks, will not be published in full but will report to the Commons’ defence committee.
The inquiry will cover all issues raised by the sailors’ capture, Mr Browne told MPs: “It will cover all operational aspects, including risk and threat assessment, strategic and operational planning, tactical decisions, rules of engagement, training, equipment, and resources.”
Mr Blair earlier said he had “full confidence” in Mr Browne. He also insisted that the defence secretary had the backing of the armed forces.
