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Castle Point: Spink sees red over Russian medals ban

From the archive, first published Wednesday 18th Sep 2002.

A south Essex MP today blasted the UK Government for banning brave war veterans from receiving a medal from the Russian government.

Russian leaders want to hand out awards to surviving Royal and Merchant Navy sailors in Britain to honour their service during the Second World War.

The sailors, who took part in the Arctic Convoy, kept supply lines open and carried tanks and aircraft which saved many Russian lives and ultimately helped to win the war.

But Whitehall has described the scheme as "inappropriate" because the medal was originally intended only for Soviet sailors.

Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point, today branded officials "insulting" for blocking the medals scheme.

He said:"My own father was a Royal Navy gunner on the Russian convoys and served his country, and the world, with great bravery and dignity, like so many others.

"All those brave Royal Navy and Merchant seamen who served so valiantly deserve to receive this medal and I believe it's bureaucratic, insensitive and insulting of the Labour Government to deny Russia the ability to present the medal."

Mr Spink plans to raise the matter when Parliament reconvenes.

Published Wednesday September 18, 2002

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