A Labour council has sparked fury after banning Army vehicles from its Armed Forces Day ‘celebration’ – over fears the military kit could enrage Pro-Palestine activists.
York’s council leader said the move to bar the local reserve unit from bringing its open-top Jackal was due to ‘residents’ concerns’ – and ‘reflects our city’s diverse views’.
But the decision outraged part-time soldiers from the Queen’s Own Yeomanry, who reportedly withdrew entirely from the event in protest.
It comes amid claims the decision was taken to avoid inflaming pro-Palestine demonstrators, with a whistle-blower telling military blog Fill Your Boots the council was worried about ‘triggering a protest’.
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon was appalled at the claims and accused the council of ‘capitulating’ to activists like Palestine Action – which over the weekend was banned and branded a proscribed terror group.
The former commander of the military’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Regiment told MailOnline: ‘It’s absolutely bonkers if a Labour council is seemingly supporting a proscribed terrorist group over the army.
‘The military is there to protect the civilian community, but it seems at the moment whether you’re an activist against climate change or anything else they get the rub of the green rather than the people doing the hard yards.
‘It’s a hugely disappointing and the people who serve us – the council and MPs – need to man up a bit and stand for those on the right side of the law rather than capitulating to the likes of Palestine Action, that’s a proscribed terror group.’
He added: ‘Whatever people think about what’s happening in Palestine, it’s nothing to do with the British military.’
The city’s armed forces day took place on Saturday.
However, one defence source said the decision to bar the Queen’s Own Yeomanry from attending with its fighting vehicle was a slap in the face.
‘It was like asking the cavalry to come without horses. It is humiliating,’ they told the Sun.
‘They wanted to attend with the Jackal but they were told that they were not welcome.’
Speaking ahead of the event, Councillor Claire Douglas – leader of York City Council – said the day was ‘a show of unity, pride and community spirit’.
And Martin Rowley, the city’s lord mayor and an army veteran, said it was about thanking and celebrating ‘all who serve or have served’.
But in a post on Facebook, seen by MailOnline, Mr Rowley conceded: ‘We could and should have handled this situation differently.’
Local Tories hit out at the fiasco, with Councillor Chris Steward, leader of the York Conservative group, telling York Press: ‘Military equipment is not a big part of Armed Forces Day by volume, but it is a crucial part.
‘What use is any military without equipment? We totally condemn this decision of the Labour councillors.
‘It shows how far the Labour Party has fallen from a proud, patriotic party which recognised the courageous and vital job our military do, to one more concerned how their actions may offend their increasingly extreme supporters who seem to want to protest against our long held values.’
The council declined to comment on whether the decision to block the Jackal vehicle from attending was taken due to fear it could lead to protests.
However, in a statement, Cllr Douglas said: ‘With our military partners, we carefully considered residents’ concerns and decided that the day will go ahead as planned, with the only change being no military equipment on show.
‘This decision in no way diminishes how seriously we take Armed Forces Day and our deep respect and commitment to those who serve and have served.’
