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The families of the five British yachtsmen seized after their boat drifted into Iranian waters spoke today of fears that the men could be used as a political “bargaining chip”.
It came as Iranian authorities warned of serious repercussions if the five had “evil intentions”.
The men, four young sailors and a radio journalist, were seized on Wednesday by Iran's Revolutionary Guards after entering the country's waters as they sailed to Dubai for a race. It is believed their boat, Kingdom of Bahrain, had lost its propeller.
News of the seizure only emerged last night after a diplomatic blackout used to aid their release was lifted.
The Cabinet was briefed this morning and Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the capture of the civilians had “nothing to do with politics”.
But Plymouth businessman David Young, whose 21-year-old son Olly was on the boat, said: “We're all concerned and the sooner they are released the better. It is dragging along longer than we thought it would. It's just a worry that there are diplomatic stresses at the moment. We just hope they're not used as a bargaining chip.”
The others being held are Olly Smith, 31, from Southampton, Luke Porter, 21, from Somerset, Sam Usher, 21, of Scarborough, and Bahrain-based Dave Bloomer, an Irishman in his sixties who holds a British passport.
Mr Porter's father Charles, of Weston-super-Mare, said he and wife Beverley were worried: “We are holding things together as a family at the moment. I haven't spoken to him since yesterday. He was as good as can be expected. We are very concerned.”
Nicola Drayton, fiancée of Mr Usher, said it was a difficult time for her and their two children. She said: “You just get on, you have no choice.”
Iran confirmed this morning that it had seized the five men. Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaie, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's head of staff, told the country's Fars news agency: “Our measures will be hard and serious if we find out they had evil intentions.”
News of their capture emerged amid heightened tensions between Britain and Iran over its nuclear capabilities.
Mr Miliband sought to play down the incident, saying it involved only civilians and bore no comparison to Iran's capture of 15 Royal Navy and Marines personnel two years ago.
Mr Miliband said: “There's certainly no suggestion of any malicious intent on the part of the five young people.” He said he expected a statement from Tehran this afternoon. “There's certainly no confrontation or argument,” he told the BBC. “As far as we are aware, these people are being well-treated.”
But Tory MP Ben Wallace, chairman of the British-Iranian All-Party Parliamentary Group, said Iran could be trying to gain political leverage. “When [Iran] wants to make a point, it takes hostages,” he said.
The sailors were heading to Dubai for the 360-mile Dubai-Muscat race after they “strayed inadvertently into Iranian waters”, say operators Team Pindar.
Reader views (13)
I trust that N, London, UK and his comment about the UK "not caring a plonk" refers to the UK government! If not then he's out of touch with reality.
- Tony, Herts, 01/12/2009 16:37
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Oh yeah and what you gonna do about it Mr Miliband, stamp your feet?
A show of kindness to these nomads is a show of weakness but you would know all about that wouldn't you. Loony-Labour can only talk they are incapable of doing because that involves an element of work!
- Mike,, London, 01/12/2009 13:27
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How can this happen AGAIN? Wouldnt there have been a mayday call when this happened and help would have been sent? This only gives more proof how incompetant how Government and forces are.
- Porky Pies, Land of Make Beleive, London, 01/12/2009 13:19
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About time the Govt faced up to the fact that Afghanistan can only be solved by the regional powers ie India Pakistan Iran and Russia. Best that the USA and GB stay out of it. An untable Afghanistanis is a threat ti India Pakistan Iran and Russia. S it is un their iterest to put a clamp on the toubles and bring about a solution. The USA would be better occupied in sorting out the Mafia and clamping down on the drug trade in Mexico and Colombia. A war on the Mafia is needed.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 01/12/2009 13:10
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Or he will do what exactly. A pointless minister in a pointless government that has absolutly no international credibility
- Jamie, Glasgow, 01/12/2009 12:03
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We used to be a nation of salors once, but alas we have lost the plot
- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh UK, 01/12/2009 12:00
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So, five Brits have been grabbed by Iran.
...And how many Iranians do WE have HERE?
- Croyboy, Croydon, 01/12/2009 11:48
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Banana boy SillyBland speaks.
The Iranians must be quaking in their boots.
With laughter - at the pathetic buffoon who now heads up the FCO - once one of the great Offices of State of our once great country.
- Ricky, Hackney, London, 01/12/2009 11:43
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"...Children's Secretary Ed Balls told GMTV: “Everything is being done to make sure that these guys are safe and they can come back soon.” This gives me enourmous confidence!
- Patrick, Dalston, 01/12/2009 11:16
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The Iranians are perfectly at liberty to detain whomever they see fit has having breached their security. At least they bother defending their nation. Every country should be allowed to do it. If the UK has a problem with that, who gives a plonk.
- N, London, UK, 01/12/2009 10:53
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It seems that nothing is sacred when it comes to Irans respect for others. These people they hold are sports people and as such should be given support NOT imprisoned.
Wonder if Iran expects to participate in the 2012 Olympics???? Wonder if they expect sports persons (as in sportsmanship) to behave in like terms!!!
- Tony, Herts, 01/12/2009 10:51
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If it was the other way around, five Iranian sailors would be leaping to the top of the housing queue right now.
- Mark H, London England, 01/12/2009 09:19
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So, five Brits have been grabbed by Iran.
...And how many Iranians do WE have HERE?
- Croyboy, Croydon, 01/12/2009 08:07
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