A COUNCIL sparked outrage by banning Army vehicles including an open-top Jackal from Armed Forces Day celebrations today.
The Labour authority’s leader in York said the decision was due to “residents’ concerns” and fears of protests — and “reflects our city’s diverse views”.
A council sparked outrage by banning Army vehicles including an open-top Jackal from Armed Forces Day celebrationsCrown Copyright/MoD
But soldiers from local reserve unit the Queen’s Own Yeomanry withdrew from the event in protest, defence sources told The Sun.
One said: “It was like asking the cavalry to come without horses. It is humiliating.
“They wanted to attend with the Jackal but they were told that they were not welcome.”
A whistle-blower told the Fill Your Boots military blog that the council was worried about “triggering a protest”.
But Labour’s veterans minister Al Carns, who won a Military Cross in Afghanistan, said: “The only reason people have the right to protest is because our military provide the freedoms to do so.”
Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake slammed the ban as “plain bonkers”.
He said: “This is a snub on our servicemen and veterans to appease a tiny minority.
“We shouldn’t be ashamed of our military showing off their equipment and uniform, it’s something we should be proud of.”
Council chief Claire Douglas claimed it was “a mutual, local decision”.
Instead, the authority has promoted a new “family friendly” Armed Forces Day Trail taking in the city’s key military sites.
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