All 15 British captives 'admit trespass'

All 15 British service personnel held by Iran have confessed to illegally entering the country's waters, it was claimed today.

The supposed admission was reported by Iran state TV channel Al Alam.

However a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can only reiterate our position. They've been detained against their will, we have not had consular access, we have made it quite clear they were seized in Iraqi waters, and we want them released."

The claim about the 15 came after new footage was shown of two of them apparently "confessing" to trespassing into Iranian waters.

The images, broadcast on Al Alam last night, showed two men standing in front of a large map of the Persian Gulf.

The pair, named as Royal Marine Captain Chris Air and Lieutenant Felix Carman, looked in good condition, wearing clean smart military fatigues.

Captain Air, who appeared first, said they had been shown on a GPS that they had been seized inside Iranian waters.

He said: "So far we have been treated very well by all the people here. They have looked after us and made sure we are given enough food and treated very well by them, so I thank them for that."

Lieutenant Felix Carman said he would like to tell the Iranian people: "I can understand why you are so angry about our intrusion into your waters."

Both men gestured to points on the map behind them, close to the hand-written words "the point where intruding boats were captured".

A Foreign Office spokesman immediately condemned the footage as "unacceptable".

Despite the fact the men looked relatively well cared for, a body language expert said they were exhibiting signs of nervous behaviour, with both holding a pen close to their stomachs with both hands.

Robert Phipps said: "Any form of barrier you put up, is a barrier against anything that's in front of you."

Today the parents of one of the 15, Royal Marine Mark Banks, said their son was "strong and determined".

Penny Banks, 49, and her husband Allistair, 52, said many people were "incredibly proud" of 24-year-old Mark who has been a marine for around three years.

"We would like to thank everyone who has provided, and continues to provide, support and encouragement at this very distressing time," said Mr and Mrs Banks, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, in a statement.

"We know Mark would be very humbled and overwhelmed by the huge amount of love and support his friends and family have shown.

"Mark is a very strong and determined lad and we hope he is drawing strength and courage in the knowledge that he has so many people that are incredibly proud of him.

"Our thoughts and hopes are for his safe and speedy release along with his fellow comrades. We miss him immensely but know he has the strength of character to get through this difficult time, and look forward to seeing him at home soon."

The group were captured after conducting a routine early morning anti-smuggling check on a merchant vessel on Friday March 23.

Footage of two other members of the group has already been shown on Iranian TV.

Leading Seaman Faye Turney has featured in several videos, while letters purportedly written by her have been released, and Royal Marine Nathan Thomas Summers was shown "apologising" for entering Iranian waters "without permission."

US President George Bush has publicly backed Tony Blair's efforts to resolve the situation peacefully, calling the capture "inexcusable behaviour".

He said: "Iran must give back the hostages.

"They're innocent, they did nothing wrong, and they were summarily plucked out of waters."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain had the "full solidarity" of the European Union.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said yesterday the Government was in "bilateral" communication with Iran over the captive group.

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague has said the Conservatives would continue to support the Government in dealing with the situation in a "calm but determined manner."

Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Michael Moore MP said: "Continued crude and cynical propaganda by the Iranians will get the regime nowhere.

"Their international obligations are clear - they must release the British detainees immediately."

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has labelled Britain arrogant for failing to apologise.

The British Government has insisted the group were in Iraqi waters when Iranian gunboats seized them.

The other hostages to be named so far are Royal Marine Corporal Dean Harris, 24, from Carmarthen, west Wales, Paul Barton, of Southport, Merseyside, Royal Marine Adam Sperry, 22, of Leicester, Danny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, Ayrshire and Joe Tindell, 21, of south London.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Iran knew that the television appearances by the captured Britons "aren't going to affect our position".

"They know we have strong international support. We have responded to the Iranians' initial letter and are now waiting for their response."

The spokesman said there was "a lot going on behind the scenes".

"We remain very clear in our position and we remain very clear what our objective is."

He said the current public holiday season in Iran was "inevitably impacting a bit" on the process.

But he added: "People know clearly what our position is and whatever you see on your TV screens is not going to affect that."

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