Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Brown Upbraids UK Public for Taunting Troops

PM irked that some personnel advised not to wear uniform off base

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 5:34 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – After reports that officers in Britain's Royal Air Force advised members against wearing uniforms in public, Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged troops to show their colors, the Telegraph reports—and chastised citizens for the verbal abuse that prompted the guidelines. Brown said troops should “have the respect and gratitude of the British people” and police should work to stop any abuse.

A commander in east-central Cambridgeshire had said uniforms shouldn’t be worn off-duty after reviewing incidents of abuse from a “cross-section” of the community, thought to be linked to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A defense official called such instances unusual, noting that many Britons would be shocked that  “there are no-go areas for our Armed Forces, even in their own country.”

A member of the military walks into a military recruitment center in Peterborough, England, Friday March 7, 2008. Commanders of a nearby British air base have advised personnel not to wear their uniforms in the town because of verbal abuse from opponents of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ministry...
A member of the military walks into a military recruitment center in Peterborough, England, Friday March 7, 2008. Commanders of a nearby British air base have advised personnel not to wear their uniforms...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gestures during the Prime Minister's monthly news conference at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday Feb. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Stuart, pool)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gestures during the Prime Minister's monthly news conference at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday Feb. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Stuart, pool)   (Associated Press)
A non-commissioned officer walks down a street before entering a military recruitment center in Peterborough, England, Friday March 7, 2008. Commanders of a British air base have advised personnel not to wear their uniforms in a nearby town because of verbal abuse from opponents of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan....
A non-commissioned officer walks down a street before entering a military recruitment center in Peterborough, England, Friday March 7, 2008. Commanders of a British air base have advised personnel not...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More on the clothing controversy
Guardian (UK)

Uniform ban started in January 2007
AFP

Why would civilians abuse the RAF?
Guardian (UK)

US Marines can't wear camouflage in public
North County Times

 
uniforms • United Kingdom • Gordon Brown • England • abuse • harassment • British military • Royal Air Force • Britain • Armed Forces

More Newser Stories

New Election Loss Could Be Knock-Out Punch for Brown

Brown Downplays US Fissure

UK to Scrap Paper Checks in 2018

Obama Issues Orders for More Afghan Troops

British Treasure Find Worth $5.4M
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne