RAF Personnel Told: 'No Uniforms In Town'
Updated:09:58, Friday March 07, 2008
The Prime Minister has stepped into the row over military uniforms after personnel at RAF Wittering were told to wear civilian dress on off-duty trips into town.
RAF officers march in London
Senior officials said they were concerned that personnel in uniform could become targets of abuse from residents of nearby Peterborough who oppose British involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Gordon Brown said Britain's armed forces should be "encouraged to wear their uniform in public and have the respect and gratitude of the British people".
He added: "I condemn absolutely any members of the public who show abuse or discrimination to our armed forces."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the RAF Wittering decision was a local one made by station commanders.
He said soldiers, airmen and sailors were generally encouraged to wear uniforms in public.
Defence Secretary Des Browne described the move as a "great shame" and called for an urgent investigation.
"We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public," he said in a statement.
"It is a great shame that some individuals in this community don't respect our forces who are daily doing a great deal for this nation.
"This is not a situation we should tolerate.
"We learned about this today and are investigating it as a matter of urgency.
Gordon Brown
"I hope that by working closely with Peterborough City Council and the local police, service personnel at RAF Wittering will soon be able to wear their uniforms freely about the town with the support of the local people."
Air Chief Marshall Glenn Torpy echoed the remarks.
He said: "Whatever people's views are about specific military operations, everyone should be able to recognise the bravery and professionalism of our Armed Forces and respect the difficult job they do."
British soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland were similarly advised in previous years, an MoD spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police, which covers Peterborough, said she was not aware of any incidents involving military personnel being attacked or abused in the town.
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It seems though that the RAF police have received recent reports of low level abuse in shops etc. Forces personnel have ben made to feel very uncomfortable.
In view of the recent conspiracy to kidnap and behead a british soldier in Britain, who is right here - The Commanding Officer or The Prime Minister?
Latest
Updated:09:58, Friday March 07, 2008
The Prime Minister has stepped into the row over military uniforms after personnel at RAF Wittering were told to wear civilian dress on off-duty trips into town.
RAF officers march in London
Senior officials said they were concerned that personnel in uniform could become targets of abuse from residents of nearby Peterborough who oppose British involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Gordon Brown said Britain's armed forces should be "encouraged to wear their uniform in public and have the respect and gratitude of the British people".
He added: "I condemn absolutely any members of the public who show abuse or discrimination to our armed forces."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the RAF Wittering decision was a local one made by station commanders.
He said soldiers, airmen and sailors were generally encouraged to wear uniforms in public.
Defence Secretary Des Browne described the move as a "great shame" and called for an urgent investigation.
"We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public," he said in a statement.
"It is a great shame that some individuals in this community don't respect our forces who are daily doing a great deal for this nation.
"This is not a situation we should tolerate.
"We learned about this today and are investigating it as a matter of urgency.
Gordon Brown
"I hope that by working closely with Peterborough City Council and the local police, service personnel at RAF Wittering will soon be able to wear their uniforms freely about the town with the support of the local people."
Air Chief Marshall Glenn Torpy echoed the remarks.
He said: "Whatever people's views are about specific military operations, everyone should be able to recognise the bravery and professionalism of our Armed Forces and respect the difficult job they do."
British soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland were similarly advised in previous years, an MoD spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police, which covers Peterborough, said she was not aware of any incidents involving military personnel being attacked or abused in the town.
-----------------------------------------------
It seems though that the RAF police have received recent reports of low level abuse in shops etc. Forces personnel have ben made to feel very uncomfortable.
In view of the recent conspiracy to kidnap and behead a british soldier in Britain, who is right here - The Commanding Officer or The Prime Minister?
Latest
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