The latest report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee contains a striking observation about the Army's troubled Ajax armoured vehicle programme. It concludes that the Ministry of Defence is placing "unrealistic expectations" on soldiers operating the vehicle safely while underlying noise and vibration issues remain unresolved.

Anyone who has spent any time in an armoured vehicle – which I have – will know that a certain amount of 'track bashing' and other maintenance is involved. So this quote from the report really caught my attention:

The Department now expects soldiers to do maintenance checks every time they stop the vehicle...

Anyone who has spent any time in an armoured vehicle – which I have – will know that a certain amount of 'track bashing' and other maintenance is involved.

But the idea of having to hop out and go through a check list every time the vehicle stops is frankly ludicrous.

There are many planned variants in the Ajak family, but they are all potentially for use in the combat zone.

The Public Accounts Committee's criticism goes to the heart of a principle which BAFF has long supported: our people deserve equipment that is safe, effective and fit for purpose.

The Ajax programme has already suffered years of delay, escalating costs and repeated technical concerns. The latest controversy follows Exercise Titan Storm in late 2025, during which 33 soldiers reported symptoms associated with noise and vibration exposure after operating Ajax vehicles. Five

Inverclyde Council is one of several Scottish local authorities which have agreed to award the Freedom of their area to the Royal Regiment of Scotland in this, its 20th year.

After the Glasgow controversy it was pleasant to learn from the Greenock Telegraph that the Council have now confirmed the date and arrangements for the Regiment's Freedom Ceremony.

We hope everyone has a great day when it happens.

The Freedom will be the first conferred by Inverclyde on any individual or group since the Council was formed in 1996. In contrast to the political divergence in Glasgow, it's worth noting that the Inverclyde decision to award the Freedom was agreed unanimously one year ago.

BAFF is non-politically-partisan, but we also note that the good councillors of Inverclyde comprise 9 Labour (minority administration), 6 SNP, 5 Independent and 2 Conservative.

So it can be done.

We thought it might assist Glasgow City Council members if they were to see an example of a previous parade in which the Freedom of a council area was formally conferred on the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Here's a high-quality video of the Freedom Ceremony on 12th October, 2015 conferring on the Regiment the Freedom of the Highlands:

[Thanks to YouTube channel The Big Drum, includes timings and music details]

The Prime Minister said in Parliament today that Glasgow City Council should 'reconsider' its controversial decision last week to reject a motion to grant the Freedom of the City to the Royal Regiment of Scotland in this, its 20th anniversary year.

In Prime Minister's Questions today, Glasgow North East MP Maureen Burke described the rejection as "a shameful snub to our servicemen and women, and a decision that has left many Glaswegians feeling ashamed and embarrassed".

The MP referred to the regiment's "20 years of duty, courage and, for 23 of its soldiers, the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country." More than 20 (out of 32) other Scottish councils had, she said, already recognised the regiment’s service by granting it the freedom of their area.

Kier Starmer said in reply that he joined the MP

"... in paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. I have had the privilege of meeting Scots serving in our armed forces across the world. They deserve our deepest gratitude. I cannot understand how the SNP and Greens have arrived at this decision, particularly when Glaswegians have contributed so much to the Royal Regiment. It is not too late to do the right thing, and I urge them to reconsider."

BAFF has unsurprisingly added its voice to calls for Glasgow City Council to reconsider its refusal of a motion to confer the Freedom of the City upon the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

BAFF also asked me to look further into this.

In a good Scots phrase, it's A Right Fankle.

BAFF is non-partisan in political party terms. My personal view, shared by everyone I've spoken to so far, is that the decision was thoroughly misguided.

But I suspect that the last thing the Regiment would want, in this its 20th anniversary year, is to be treated as a political football by one side or the other in any partisan or constitutional debate.

 What would the grant of the Freedom involve? In Scotland it's purely an honour and a mark of connection with the recipient. Historically the Freedom of Glasgow was said to include the right to graze one's cows on Glasgow Green and to fish on the Clyde, but the legislation simply refers to "honorary freemen" without authority for such rights.

The Freedom scroll traditionally includes wording such as “the right, privilege and honour to march through the streets of [Council area] with bayonets fixed, drums beating, colours flying and bands [or pipes] playing", but this only refers to approved ceremonial parades and has no legal effect.

I will return to the legal position and other aspects of this fankle.

regards, Douglas Young