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MoD says award is not a military decoration (From Essex County Standard)
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MoD says award is not a military decoration
3:30pm Friday 19th February 2010
STORIES of MPs being given campaign medals for simply visiting troops in war zones are untrue, say Ministry of Defence officials.
Colchester’s MP, Bob Russell, has joined the MoD in dismissing reports which prompted thousands of angry ex-servicemen to sign a protest petition.
He has also made it clear if he were ever offered a medal, he would refuse it.
Mr Russell has been on two courses run under the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which gives MPs a better understanding of military matters.
He has also visited troops in Iraq once and in Afghanistan twice, but says he was never offered a medal, nor, to his knowledge, had any of the area’s other MPs.
The scheme caused controversy and prompted 24,000 ex-service people to sign a petition criticising awards made to MPs who had been involved in the scheme for ten years.
Colchester Suez Crisis veteran Ted Sparrow put his name to the protest. He explained his anger, saying: “Medals are for enduring dangerous and uncomfortable conditions for a prolonged period of active service.
“Suez Canal Zone veterans had to wait 50 years to get the General Service Medal for active service between 1951 and 1954.”
Mr Sparrow said he was pleased MPs showed an interest in military matters, but felt they did not deserve medals.
Mr Russell said anything offered to MPs taking part in the scheme would not be the same as campaign medals given to troops.
He added: “I don’t think it would be appropriate to have a medal, even if I became eligible. The only people who should have them are those who have served Queen and country.”
Damien Elvin, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, said: “This is not an official campaign medal and is not administered by the MoD.
“Initiatives which increase Parliament’s exposure to, and understanding of, our Armed Forces are to be encouraged and the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme does just that.”
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Your Say YourColchester
NatDM, Salisbury says...
3:26pm Thu 25 Feb 10
Whilst the aim of the scheme is admirable, it is funded by the arms industry.
This leaves the door open to accusations of underhand dealings. I'd suggest the scheme is opened up to greater transparency to avoid suspicion.
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Taj, Colchester says...
4:23pm Fri 19 Feb 10
There is a minimum number of days on active service requirement to qualify for a medal.
To much rubbish being published by people with nothing better to do than undermine public confidence