Don't Panic! Lighten Up!
The Horror! One of the Released Marines says: "I was tortured! They gave me a fake Hugo Boss shirt!"
Before their release the Brits were given shabby grey three-piece suits made by a local designer and a fake Hugo Boss shirt.
They also got a "granny bag" full of tat including toffees with a label saying "containing pistachio", a CD and DVD that don't work and 11 books.
These were in English and mostly aimed at trying to convert the reader to Islam with titles like Youth and Morals by Sayid Lari.
Arthur said of the gifts: "They're a bit pathetic. I don't know what they're trying to prove by giving us books on morality and their religion. My morals are fine, thank you very much. And those suits were an insult. Not only did mine not fit, but it was cheap and tacky and the Hugo Boss shirt was a fake. I could pick up a better outfit at a jumble sale."
When they were first captured by the Revolutionary Guards the crew were searched and all their belongings were seized. Among the kit stolen was Arthur's iPod, a going away gift from girlfriend Steph Nethercott.
Arthur said: "The iPod was really special to me as it was a gift. It had our song on, Hold Me Tonight by Angel One, which was one of the tunes playing when we first met.
"It was in a pocket in my overalls. The guards took everything off us - including cigarettes and watches.
"All we were left with were the clothes on our back. We were told we'd get them back - but I'm still waiting."
LIFTED BY THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD:
2 Pacific 22 Mark II rigid in flatables - £200,000 each
1 Navy GPS system -£2,000
14 SA80 rifles -£500 each
Two 9mm pistols -£200 each
Personal radios -£80 each
440 cigarettes (Marlboro Lights and Benson and Hedges (duty free) -£40
1 iPod - £160
Reader Comments
"My morals are fine, thank you very much. And those suits were an insult. Not only did mine not fit, but it was cheap and tacky and the Hugo Boss shirt was a fake. I could pick up a better outfit at a jumble sale."
Well, maybe he might want to go to Guantanamo Bay and get a nice orange jumpsuit. That's pretty spiffy! And don't forget the goggles and zip ties. Quite the accessories.
What a load of BS.
Those are the words that come to mind.
The only positive, which the Iranians were not aware of is the fact that they took the poison and SMOKED them. They obviously were ignorant of why the soldiers were carrying cigarettes.
In this clever and intelligent ploy by the British, the Iranians will be soon be dropping like flies due to smoking, not to mention the potential casualties of passive smoking.
OH, yes winning the war on terror!
War wasn't escalated, you have your life (what life?!), 10 years of military commissions, Book signing writing deals, article/interview deals which are overlooked.. you'll want for nothing. Hell, Iran made you a star!
"I don't know what they're trying to prove by giving us books on morality and their religion. My morals are fine, thank you very much."
What stage is after denial?