There has been widespread condemnation of the move by the RAF chiefs who warned staff, who live in and around Peterborough, not to wear their uniforms when they ventured into the city, following reports of verbal abuse being hurled at them.

It is thought the abuse has stemmed from the fact men and women from the air base, near Stamford, are currently being deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The outrage, first revealed in The Evening Telegraph yesterday, has hit the headlines on television, radio and newspapers across the country.

The city's links with RAF Wittering are historic and very strong. Not only does the air base hold the Freedom of the City honour, but many personnel live in Peterborough and travel to and from the city to the base.

Peterborough people in need of the best medical attention also benefit from the skills of more than 200 RAF medical personnel who work at Peterborough District Hospital treating both military and civilian patients. The thought that any troops might have been slighted while going about their business in the city, simply because they are wearing uniform when going to or from the hospital or the air base, has outraged the people of Peterborough.

In yesterday's Evening Telegraph the city's Mayor, Marion Todd, said a small minority of people should not be allowed to stop our service personnel from wearing their uniforms.

Today, groups across the city backed our brave men and women to wear their uniform with pride in Peterborough.

Dean of Peterborough, The Very Rev Charles Taylor said: "I think we have to ask the question why we think troops are at risk. If it is to do with their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan we need to realise that they're deployed to those places, it is not their own fault or choice. Any criticism needs to be tackled through the democratic process not taken out on the troops themselves.

"These are the same troops that we would expect to come to our help if there was a flood, foot and mouth outbreak or if the earthquake we had last week was worse than it was."

Polish-born Tom Wlodarski, who set up the Eagle Polish Society in Peterborough, said: "As a Polish man, I fully support the military, especially as Poland has troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

"What people have to remember is that it is not the fault of the soldiers that they are serving where they are."

Secretary of the Royal British Legion Garry Hunt said: "At the last Remembrance Sunday parade, we had a few smirks and the odd name called out.

"My 11-year-old daughter is in the Sea Cadets, and when she is in uniform, people driving past, or walking nearby shout "murderer" and other names at her and her friends.

"By stopping people from wearing their uniform, we are giving in, and we should not give in. They should be able to wear the uniform with pride."

Chairman of the Peterborough Pakistani Community Association Ghulam Shabbir said: "They are in the forces to do a job, and wearing the uniform is part of it. Why should they not be allowed to wear their uniform when coming into the city? What is going to happen next – ban the police from wearing their uniform? It's part of the job and they should be proud to wear it. I'm absolutely behind them."

Special Report: RAF uniform row, March 2008 - www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/wearitwithpride.

ET Comment: Idiotic minority bring shame on Peterborough
WE are sure that most people will have been shocked and disgusted that RAF Wittering has felt the need to warn personnel not to wear their uniforms in Peterborough.

Apparently, some servicemen have been subjected to verbal abuse in the city and this has led to Wittering staff being told it's safer to wear "civvies".

How appalling that this is deemed necessary, and what a contrast it makes to the last two world wars when servicemen on leave were treated as homecoming heroes. And this slur comes at a time when RAF Wittering personnel are in the thick of it in Afghanistan defending a vital airbase.

The risks to life and limb in this ferocious conflict can be seen in newsreels on television almost every day of the week. Yet our servicemen again and again go beyond the call of duty and perform acts of bravery that are truly astonishing. Some of those incidents are recounted today as the heroism of Royal Anglian soldiers is recognised in operational honours and awards.

We are filled with admiration for the Peterborough troops serving with the Vikings, and after a long association, RAF Wittering deserves to hold the Freedom of the City
honour.

The minority who bring shame on Peterborough by deriding service people who proudly wear their uniforms are not fit to lace their boots.


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