The Metropolitan Police s head negotiator who helped the SAS save the lives of 19 hostages during the Iranian Embassy siege of 1980 has died.
Chief Superintendent Max Vernon, 84, was part of a six-man team charged with negotiating with six armed terrorists who besieged the diplomatic building in South Kensington, West London and took 26 people hostage.
The gunmen, all Arab separatists demanding autonomy for Iran-held Khuzestan following a regime crackdown in 1979, demanded the release of 91 prisoners and their own safety in return for handing over the hostages.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher refused to guarantee the terrorists safe passage out of Britain - and between April 30 and May 5, 1980, the world watched and waited as Mr Vernon began his life-saving negotiations.