MP condemns peace camp attacks on army heroes
24th July 2008
Mike Penning has condemned peace camp activists for abusing and attacking soldiers just returned from Iraq.
Hemel MP Mike Penning, who is also a Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Army, has organised a series of ‘welcome home’ events at the House of Commons for our brave troops on their return from Afghanistan and Iraq.
On Monday this week, Mike along with the Speaker of the House, Mike Martin, welcomed over 120 member of the 4th Mechanised Brigade on their return from Iraq. During their march to Parliament, they were attacked and verbally abused by ‘peace activists’ from the ‘peace camp’ that is permanently stationed across the road.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mike told MPs:
“Yesterday, this House and the other House had the honour of welcoming 120 British servicemen returning from Iraq at the north door of the Great Hall. Mr. Speaker was there to greet them, and it was a pleasure and an honour to see them. However, while we were waiting for them, the lunatic fringe that is the peace camp outside broke through the police lines and got into the ranks of those brave servicemen and women. Those people abused and attacked the service personnel, calling them cowards and other things that I will not repeat in this House.”
He then called on the police to ensure that there are sufficient officers on duty in future:
“Can we investigate how on earth British servicemen and women returning from Iraq and marching through the streets of London to this House came to be attacked, and whether enough police were on duty? Next time we invite them, can we make sure that there are enough police on hand, so that we can welcome them in the proper way?
