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Blair forced into
U-turn over medal for veterans THE Government has been forced to hoist the white flag in its battle with military veterans denied the Malaysian medal of valour. We can reveal that thousands of former servicemen, including members of the Royal Ulster Rifles, are to receive the award in the New Year. The Queen, who visited Northern Ireland earlier this month, will sign the proclamation bringing an end to the bitter saga that enraged many MPs at Westminster. Earlier this year, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson tabled a Commons motion, backed by Labour MP Andrew MacKinlay, calling on the Government to accept the award on behalf of ex-service personnel. The medal was awarded 12 months ago to all Commonwealth ex-servicemen who saw duty in either the 'Emergency' or 'Confrontation' in the Far East between 1957 and 1966. The Australian and New Zealand governments both approved the award. But the official response from Whitehall was that veterans could not receive foreign medals more than five years after the conflict ended. Former Royal Navy veteran George Fleming took up the baton - claiming the Government had allowed British servicemen to accept the Kuwait and Saudi Arabia medals on top of the medal awarded for services during the 1991 war in Iraq. And yesterday, when Sunday Life was given exclusive confirmation over the Government's U-turn, George said: "It's terrific news - I couldn't be happier. "I was not involved in the campaign just for myself, but the Royal Ulster Rifles were among a number of regiments who served in Borneo and deserve this recognition." Upper Bann MP Mr Donaldson said he had been "only too delighted" to highlight the issue. He said: "These men put their lives on the line for their country and their valiant service to the Crown and the people of Malaysia should have been recognised without hesitation." |