All we can do is hope

Mar 28 2007 By Alan Campbell, Ayrshire Post

A ROYAL Marine from Ayrshire is among the 15 Navy personnel being held hostage in Iran.

Danny Masterton was snatched at gunpoint by Iranian forces along with 14 fellow royal marines and sailors from the HMS Cornwall.

Danny, 22, of Muirkirk, was taken hostage in the Gulf after his team boarded a vessel they suspected of smuggling cars.

As the Post went to press, British officials were still trying to negotiate with the Iranians who have so far refused any access to the hostages.

The Ayrshire-born marine’s parents, Danny and Christine, were this week waiting anxiously at home for any news of their son.

Danny senior, a former Ayr United player, told the Post: “We got the word about him being taken last week just after it happened.

“But since then we’ve had no update at all. I think the MoD are struggling to get any information as well.

“It’s obviously a very worrying time for us all. All we can do is hope for the best.”

A friend of the family told how former Boys’ Brigade member Danny junior and his family are very well thought of in their home village.

He added: “The family are very popular and have a great many friends around here. We all have our fingers crossed for the safe return of Danny and his friends.”

The Royal Navy said the group was on a routine patrol in Iraqi waters and had not strayed into Iranian territory.

But Iranian state television quoted the Iran foreign ministry as saying they had illegally entered Iranian waters.

It has since been claimed that the Iranians are looking into the possibility that the kidnapped Navy personnel were spying.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has demanded the safe return of the HMS Cornwall servicemen and women.

On Tuesday Iranian officials reassured Britain that the hostages were safe and well and being properly looked after.

The MoD said it has contacted relatives of the seized group, which comprised eight sailors and seven marines but would not confirm their identities.