Medal row is set to hot up (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Medal row is set to hot up

4:05pm Monday 20th June 2011 in Ex-Service Notes By Craig Mitchell

I have been asked to run the following letter on behalf of the campaign for a National Defence Medal: The Defence Secretary Liam Fox has turned the big guns of the Ministry of Defence on Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and blown him out of the water. A Medal Review, in the Conservative Party election manifesto, aimed at addressing the injustices of veterans over the past 60 years who have not had their service recognised by The Queen has been fudged.

The review was done in secret, it failed to notify veterans when it was taking place, failed to make public its terms of reference and failed to consult with veterans. The flawed findings of the review were based on misleading and inaccurate statements and false arguments. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister refused to endorse them and directed veterans should be consulted.

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg took up the concerns of veterans and called on the Defence Secretary to reconstitute the review under an independent chair and to ensure wide consultation with veterans. Secretary Fox has dismissed the call, stating he has made all the concessions he is going to make by giving the veterans an opportunity to make their comments on the review’s findings.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s Special Defence Adviser, Tim Colbourne, said negotiations are still underway with the Defence Secretary’s advisers and the Conservative Ministerial Party Chief of Staff to try and reach agreement on reconstituting the Medal Review under an independent chair, but all indications suggest that veterans’ concerns will again be brushed aside.

For further information contact Tony Morland, co-chairman UK National Defence Medal Campaign, www.nationaldefencemedal.com.

DIARY DATES Today: The Royal Naval Association meets at 20.00 hours at Feversham Street Sea Cadet headquarters.

The Prince of Wales Own Association meets at 19.30 hours at Bradford Moor Conservative Club.

Monday: The WRENS Association meets at 13.30 hours at The CVS Building, 19 Sunbridge Road.

The Thornton branch of the Royal British Legion meets at 19.45 hours at Thornton Conservative Club.