Lissie I back new bravery award bid
Lissie Harper has given her backing to a campaign for bravery medals to be given to all emergency workers killed in the line of duty.
Last month 28 MSPs supported a motion by Tory Graham Simpson calling for the UK Government to bring in the award. On Wednesday evening the Scottish Parliament will debate the issue.
The Sunday Mail-supported campaign was launched last year by the families of two murdered officers – Constable George Taylor and Detective Sergeant Ross Hunt.
Both families were refused posthumous awards last year by the UK Government because of a five-year time bar.
Lissie said: “A posthumous bravery award is the least that can be done for people who risk their lives for others. Time should not have any implication.”
Last week we revealed how the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) had backed the creation of a new bravery award. Andrew Harper was given an award by the PFEW in June 2020.
The families’ campaign is also backed by the Scottish Police Federation and the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents. Discussions have taken place with the Home Office to bring in the award. It is hoped it will be retrospective for any deaths on duty since 1945.
Simpson said: “I am delighted with the support shown so far for the families’ campaign.”
George was murdered in 1976 by Robert Mone and Thomas McCulloch, who had escaped from the State Hospital in Carstairs.
Ross was murdered in 1983 in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, after he tried to arrest stabbing suspect Hugh Murray, 16, at his home.