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 agrees with that call.

One of the reasons cited by SNP Councillors for rejecting the motion being that the Lord Provost and the Council's Armed Forces and Veterans Champion had not been consulted, a way should now be found for those consultations to proceed, and for a motion to confer the Freedom of the City to be urgently reconsidered without misunderstanding and rancour.