Turney 'told comrades were home'

During the press conference, Leading Seaman Turney's colleagues revealed how she was subject to different rules from the men and was separated from them as soon as they arrived.

They said that the 26-year-old mother-of-one was told they had flown home and was led to believe for days that she was the only one left. She has also been purported to have written several letters admitting that the group had been in Iranian waters when they were detained.

But colleagues have defended her, praising her dignity and her ability to cope with the situation.

Royal Marine Captain Chris Air told reporters at Chivenor Royal Marines Barracks that "being an Islamic country" she was subject to different rules.

He said she was separated from the rest of the group as soon as they arrived and was under the impression for four days that she was the only one left. "She coped admirably and retained a lot of dignity throughout," he said. "Like all of us she has been exploited."

He said that going home to her family was "clearly a great relief".

Lieutenant Felix Carman told the press conference that the young mother had volunteered to join the Navy and was very proud to continue and serve. He said the group became aware of her "special treatment" and the fact that she had been used as a propaganda tool by Iran was "regrettable".

The mother of a three-year-old daughter was the most high-profile of the 15 British personnel held in Iran. Leading Seaman Turney, who is married to a Plymouth-based Royal Navy sailor, featured heavily in TV footage released by the Iranian authorities.

She was shown on Iranian state television thanking President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for "letting us go home". She added: "We apologise for our actions."