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Backbone or Backpedal?

Still on the subject of the illegaly kidnapped Iranian capture of UK sailors - we find Blair showing a little back bone ...

In a sign of increasing British impatience, Tony Blair today warned of a "different phase" if diplomatic efforts fail to secure the release of the 15 British service personnel held by Iran.

With the impasse entering its fifth day, the prime minister described the group's capture as "unjustified and wrong".

Speaking on GMTV, Mr Blair said: "I hope we manage to get them to realise they have to release them. If not, then this will move into a different phase."


Tough talk no? Fighting talk no? The ghosts of Churchill and Thatcher lurking in the shadows ... well no actually ...

Mr Blair said: "Well, we will just have to see, but what they should understand is that we cannot have a situation where our servicemen and women are seized when actually they are in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate, patrolling perfectly rightly and in accordance with that mandate, and then effectively captured and taken to Iran."

Will Blair show some backbone over this issue - or will he backpedal and do a backdoor deal with the Iranians in order to free the illegaly kidnapped hostages captured sailors?

Arms for hostages anyone?


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