MP's support for troops in uniform

12.12.00am GMT Tue 25th Mar 2008

Soldiers from Colchester Garrison

Colchester MP Bob Russell told the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions of his support for members of HM Armed Forces wearing uniform in public following reports that in Peterborough some RAF personnel had been verbally abused in the city.

Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown agreed - adding that he was aware of how proud Mr Russell was of soldiers from the Colchester Garrison.

Mr Russell told the Prime Minister: "I thank the him for his words of support for military personnel wearing their uniform in public. Will he see whether the Public Order Act 1986 can be amended to make it a specific offence for somebody to insult a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who is wearing uniform in public?"

He also urged Mr Brown to support calls for an Armed Forces Day.

Responding, Mr Brown said: "We are proud of our Armed Forces. Not only do they have the right to wear their uniforms in public when they are in the United Kingdom but we welcome the fact that they do. I know that Mr Russell is proud of what happens in his own constituency as well."

He added: "I believe that the Police do have powers to deal with those people who abuse or intimidate our Armed Forces. If they need them, they can use those powers already. The public are on the Police's side if they take action to ensure that our Armed Forces achieve both the recognition and the acclaim that they rightly deserve."

Afterwards Mr Russell said he was pleased with the Prime Minister's response, and he hoped that if there were any further reports of military personnel being abused while wearing their uniform in public then those responsible would be prosecuted. He added that he would continue to support calls for Britain to have a special Armed Forces Day.

Mr Russell is a member of the Liberal Democrat Defence team and a Parliamentary Advisor to The Royal British Legion. Last month he visited British troops serving in Afghanistan.