I think he is right. If you don't, feel free to make a counterargument. "Easy for him to say" is not a counterargument, as Derb, and now I, have pointed out, and as you have conceded.
Based on everything I've been reading, sounds like these hostages did what they were told to do by their superiors.
The surrender is what they were told to do by their superiors, sure. But does that include all the "apologies", wearing the hijab, etc.? Do you have evidence for that? Let me know if/when you do.
If that is the case, would Derbyshire have them disobey their superiors?
If the superiors indeed gave them orders not only to surrender but to "apologize" if/when told, and say/do whatever the Iranians tell them to do, then the accusation of "Brit wimpiness" may not apply to those individual soldiers, true. But it would still apply the Brit nation.
Again, it is very easy for him to talk sitting behind a computer keyboard.
And again, that's not an argument for anything either way.
I think he is talking big, but has never been in a position to show that he would do what he expects these people to do. It's very easy to tell others they should jeopardize their lives when one hasn't bothered to put himself in a position to do so.
But does that include all the "apologies", wearing the hijab, etc.?
I don't know. But if they've told them to surrender rather than fight, it is highly unlikely they would then tell them to behave in captivity in such a way as to endanger the lives they were previously ordered to try to save. To claim that they were expected to do so is ludicrous.
And again, that's not an argument for anything either way.
It's pointing out the hypocrisy of demanding that others put their lives at risk while sitting comfortably and safely behind a keyboard.