Campbell angers veterans
ALASTAIR Campbell was accused of mocking military veterans in a bizarre outburst on social media.
Tony Blair’s former spin doctor sparked a furious backlash after posting a video in which he poses as a “war hero”. He wears a medal awarded to military personnel who served in Northern Ireland.
Mr Campbell, who is also seen wearing a regimental tie, lampoons Boris Johnson as an old soldier who has changed the lyrics of the national anthem in support of his chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
The joke led to a heated exchange with veterans minister Johnny Mercer.
He accused Mr Campbell of making fun of servicemen and women by pinning the General Service Medal to his chest, when he is not entitled to wear it.
The Veterans Minister said the medal was “all some parents got back when their children were killed in service of the nation in places like Northern Ireland”.
In an exchange with Mr Mercer, Mr Campbell said the medal belonged to his late brother Donald, who served in Northern Ireland before being “invalided out”.
Yesterday, one former soldier told how he had reported Mr Campbell to the police, but was told it was not a criminal offence to pose as a member of the Armed Forces.
Tundjel Mehmet, who served in Iraq, Northern
Ireland, Afghanistan and Bosnia, said: “His actions are deeply offensive.
“It’s disgusting the way he is mocking the Armed Forces and thumbing his nose at those who have served and the families of those who have died in conflict.”
Mr Mehmet went on: “We were awarded those medals in recognition of serving our country on operations. For him to mock that is sickening.”
Mr Campbell was not available for comment.