County unites in call for release

Shropshire officials today called for the safe release of Shropshire sailor Faye Turney and attacked the screening of her on Iranian television.

Concerned Salopians condemned the hostage takers for parading the mother-of-one on Iranian television, and called for the 15 British service personnel to be released unharmed.

Shrewsbury’s MP Daniel Kawczynski said: “Obviously I have been raising this issue in the Commons. I feel extremely angry the Iranians have paraded them on television. It totally contravenes international protocol. We would not do that in a million years in our country.

“I and all other MPs call for their immediate safe release. The Prime Minister assured us, and I have no reason to doubt him, that our troops were in Iraqi international waters. We are meant to police those waters.

“It is a disgrace. I totally support the Government in its demands for a very speedy return of Faye and the others.

“My heart goes out to her family. We must not forget the parents who are making a sacrifice knowing their children are taking risks for international security and our country’s security. I send them my support and solidarity at this difficult time for them.”

Images of former Flight Lieutenant John Peters, from Tenbury Wells, were synonymous with the Gulf War after his badly bruised face was displayed on television by Saddam Hussein’s henchmen.

Mr Peters was kidnapped and tortured after being shot down in the first Gulf War and taken to a prison where he was beaten and told what to say on camera.

Today he told the Shropshire Star his views on the words and body language of captured Leading Seaman Faye Turney, from Shrewsbury.

“I think it was a stage-managed parade of service personnel on television and, in my view, to make a political statement - I have no illusion that she wanted to be there,” said Mr Peters, 45.

“I empathise with what she must be going through, but service people’s concern will be to do their duty and live up to expectations.”

Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and the ward councillor where Faye’s parents live, said the family had everyone’s full support.

He said: “Everyone at the borough council and the county council is extremely concerned and hopes this is resolved as quickly as possible. Our thoughts go out to Faye’s family.”

Shrewsbury’s deputy mayor John Cooke said: “Everyone is very concerned for her well-being.

“We are all worried about not only Faye but the rest of the crew. It is very wrong that they have been held and paraded on TV. Everyone is hoping for a speedy resolution not an escalation of things.”

Squadron Leader Martin Locke, RAF Shawbury spokesman, said: “We are very concerned for the safety of Faye and all the servicemen involved. We just hope for a very speedy resolution to the situation.”

Robin Hooper, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council chief executive, said: “We are all thinking of the people out there and hope that the Iranian government are looking after them.

“I would call upon any Iranians in Shrewsbury and Shropshire to contact their government and let these individuals go.”

Brian Gillow, civic head of Shropshire County Council, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Faye and her family and I am hoping for her swift and safe return along with the other captured members of our Armed Forces. I feel very much for them all.”

Penny Cowdy, owner of Berriewood Farm, Condover - where Faye used to ride with her family - said: “Her mother did ride here but Faye did not much. We know the family and we are all thinking of them. We just wish the family well.”

• Show Faye you are thinking of her- click here - She’s an ordinary 26-year-old Shropshire mother who was just doing her job. We want Faye Turney and her family to know they have Shropshire’s support.