Iran hostage ‘loses his passport’

Press Association: One of the British navy crew held hostage by Iran has had to delay rejoining his ship after losing his passport, it has been reported. Press Association

One of the British navy crew held hostage by Iran has had to delay rejoining his ship after losing his passport, it has been reported.

Operator Mechanic Arthur Batchelor, 20, from Plymouth, Devon, was the youngest of the 15 sailors and Marines seized while on an anti-smuggling patrol on March 23.

The Ministry of Defence said on Monday that some of the captives would return to their ship, HMS Cornwall, in the Gulf this week.

It is understood their passports remained aboard their ship during their 13-day ordeal and were returned to their bases in Britain after they were released.

But OM Batchelor is thought to have lost his after it was returned with the rest of his kit to Royal Marines Base Chivenor in north Devon, it is reported.

An MoD spokesman said: “OM Batchelor was due to rejoin the ship but this has been delayed due to an administrative problem.”