The eight British servicemen seized by Iran last week were “forcibly escorted into Iranian territorial waters” before they were detained, the British Ministry of Defence has said.

Investigations were continuing today to establish the cause of a mystery bug that has struck down 18 Army medical personnel serving with the British forces in Afghanistan.

Investigations were continuing today to establish the cause of a mystery bug that has struck down 18 Army medical personnel serving with the British forces in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was today poised to announce the deployment of British ground troops in Afghanistan before the onset of winter.