The city's reputation was dragged through the mud in newspapers, radio and television reports across the globe after the move to ban personnel from RAF Wittering from wearing their uniform was revealed.

Station Commander Group Captain Ro Atherton said she put the ban in place after several reports of abuse being hurled at servicemen in the city.

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

Grp Cpt Atherton stood by the decision in the interest of personnel safety despite several meetings with council officials and MPs.

The ban sparked debate in Parliament and even the Queen reportedly was unhappy with the step taken by the Ministry of Defence. The Evening Telegraph was flooded with messages of support telling RAF personnel to wear their uniform with pride.

Top brass at RAF Wittering refused to reveal details of the incidents that led to the ban, and it was only after The ET submitted a Freedom of Information request that the scale of the problem was revealed.

Just three incidents were formally reported to RAF Wittering between June and October 2006.

They involved a member of the RAF, living in private accommodation in Peterborough, reporting three incidents of criminal damage; a window at the residential property was smashed, the rear window of a private car was smashed and, on a separate occasion, scratches were made to its side panels.

The base said incidents of verbal abuse during the period were not formally reported at the time and, therefore, could be considered only as anecdotal.

When shown the evidence, Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson immediately called for the ban to be lifted and an apology made to the city.

He said: "The decision to impose a uniform ban was hasty, ill-judged and extremely damaging to the city's reputation – and now we learn it was based on the flimsiest of evidence.

"At no time has the Base Commander at RAF Wittering satisfactorily explained her decision and I think she owes the city of Peterborough an apology and the ban should be rescinded immediately."

However, Cllr Marion Todd supported the continuing ban. She said: "I still stand by what Ro Atherton says. It's not a total ban on wearing the uniform it's just when they are not on duty just like the police who are encouraged to cover up when they are not on duty."

Squadron Leader Tony Walsh, press officer at RAF Wittering, said: "There is no change and the ban remains in place. It only applies to off-duty personnel out and about in Peterborough."