05/04/2007
British naval crew return to the UK
Fifteen British sailors and marines held captive in Iran have returned to Britain.
The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
They are now being transported to a Royal Marines base in Chivenor where they will have medicals and be debriefed before being reunited with their families.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that the Britons would be released as a "gift" to Britain.
The crew were seized by Iranian forces on March 23 as they took part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway.
Iran claimed that the Britons had strayed into their waters, a claim that has been persistently denied by Britain.
The news of the crew's release was welcomed by Prime Minister Tony Blair who said that he was glad that the crew had been returned to the UK "safe and unharmed".
However, he contrasted the joy at the return of the crew with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq today.
(KMcA)
The group travelled back to Britain from Iran on a British Airways flight which touched down at Heathrow shortly after midday on Thursday.
They are now being transported to a Royal Marines base in Chivenor where they will have medicals and be debriefed before being reunited with their families.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that the Britons would be released as a "gift" to Britain.
The crew were seized by Iranian forces on March 23 as they took part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway.
Iran claimed that the Britons had strayed into their waters, a claim that has been persistently denied by Britain.
The news of the crew's release was welcomed by Prime Minister Tony Blair who said that he was glad that the crew had been returned to the UK "safe and unharmed".
However, he contrasted the joy at the return of the crew with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq today.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 December 2012
400 British Airways Jobs To Be Cut
400 senior cabin crew positions are to be cut by British Airways, on both long and short-haul routes It said that all the redundancies would be voluntary and that it had started a 90-day consultation process. The first cuts are expected to take effect from next March.
400 British Airways Jobs To Be Cut
400 senior cabin crew positions are to be cut by British Airways, on both long and short-haul routes It said that all the redundancies would be voluntary and that it had started a 90-day consultation process. The first cuts are expected to take effect from next March.
22 January 2007
Talks bid as BA strives to avoid strike
British Airways has contacted Acas in a move to avoid a three-day strike over pay and conditions. The airline has called on the conciliation service to help avert a potential strike by members of the T&G cabin crew union.
Talks bid as BA strives to avoid strike
British Airways has contacted Acas in a move to avoid a three-day strike over pay and conditions. The airline has called on the conciliation service to help avert a potential strike by members of the T&G cabin crew union.
05 September 2003
British embassy staff allowed to leave Iran
Non-essential personnel at the British embassy in Tehran are to be allowed to leave the country following a gun attack on the building earlier this week. However, the Foreign Office said that it did not consider that there was a threat to Britons living or working in Iran, and the announcement stopped short of advising British people to leave Iran.
British embassy staff allowed to leave Iran
Non-essential personnel at the British embassy in Tehran are to be allowed to leave the country following a gun attack on the building earlier this week. However, the Foreign Office said that it did not consider that there was a threat to Britons living or working in Iran, and the announcement stopped short of advising British people to leave Iran.
03 September 2003
British Embassy remains closed following shots fired into building
The Foreign Office has confirmed that the British Embassy in Tehran will remain closed for a time after shots were fired at the building from a nearby street today. The incident occurred at around mid-day local time (7.30am) when at least five shots were fired into the building breaking windows.
British Embassy remains closed following shots fired into building
The Foreign Office has confirmed that the British Embassy in Tehran will remain closed for a time after shots were fired at the building from a nearby street today. The incident occurred at around mid-day local time (7.30am) when at least five shots were fired into the building breaking windows.
29 March 2010
Union Attacks BA Pilots
Unite, the union representing disgruntled British Airways cabin crew, has claimed the airline's pilots are now earning an additional £166 per hour. Unite said the pay changes makes them the world's most expensive on board staff.
Union Attacks BA Pilots
Unite, the union representing disgruntled British Airways cabin crew, has claimed the airline's pilots are now earning an additional £166 per hour. Unite said the pay changes makes them the world's most expensive on board staff.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.