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07/03/2008
Brown Enters RAF Uniform Row
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has entered the row over military uniforms, following reports that RAF service personnel from a Cambridgeshire base have been told to wear civilian dress on off-duty trips to town.
Senior officials at RAF Wittering made the decision after fears that the uniforms may attract abuse from residents of Nearby Peterborough, opposed to British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More than 2,000 servicemen and women are based at the station.
Speaking in Downing Street on Friday, Mr Brown said: "I condemn absolutely any members of the public who show abuse or discrimination to our armed forces. They should be thanked for the great job that they're doing, they should be encouraged to wear their uniform in public, they should be free to do so and the public will want to show their respect and gratitude."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said that the decision made at the base was a local one, made by station commanders and added that generally service personnel were encouraged to wear uniforms in public.
Defence Secretary Des Browne described the situation as a "great shame". He said: "We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public."
(KMcA/JM)
Senior officials at RAF Wittering made the decision after fears that the uniforms may attract abuse from residents of Nearby Peterborough, opposed to British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More than 2,000 servicemen and women are based at the station.
Speaking in Downing Street on Friday, Mr Brown said: "I condemn absolutely any members of the public who show abuse or discrimination to our armed forces. They should be thanked for the great job that they're doing, they should be encouraged to wear their uniform in public, they should be free to do so and the public will want to show their respect and gratitude."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said that the decision made at the base was a local one, made by station commanders and added that generally service personnel were encouraged to wear uniforms in public.
Defence Secretary Des Browne described the situation as a "great shame". He said: "We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public."
(KMcA/JM)
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