The officer who commanded the operation to rescue two SAS troopers in Basra refused last night to apologise for his actions and promised to do the same again if British soldiers' lives were in danger. "The message this action has sent to terrorists around the world is that they cannot expect to take British soldiers hostage and get away with it," said Brig John Lorimer (right).
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph, he added: "It would be inappropriate for the British Army to apologise."
| Brig Lorimer will have no trouble in the future when he yells, "follow me!" |
His defiance came as it emerged that the Iraqis are now demanding the arrest of the two freed men, in addition to an official apology and compensation for the damage to the jail where the soldiers had been held.
It is understood, however, that the two SAS men, who feared that they would be decapitated, are back at their headquarters in Hereford, being debriefed by senior officers. |