Injured war hero snubs PM
A WESTCOUNTRY soldier severely injured in Afghanistan has revealed he and other colleagues snubbed Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a hospital visit.
Mr Brown visited Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham in September where about 25 wounded soldiers were being treated.
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According to reports, more than half the soldiers either asked for their curtains to be closed or deliberately avoided meeting the Prime Minister.
Sapper Matthew Weston, from Taunton, was halfway through his first tour of duty in Afghanistan when he lost both legs and his right arm to a Taliban bomb during a foot patrol.
"I didn't want to speak to him," the 20-year-old of 33 Engineer Regiment, told the Sunday Times.
"I didn't want to waste my time talking to someone who was just trying to make themselves look good. I spent the day with my family instead.
"Half the lads didn't want to speak to him and those that did pretty much blamed him for everything. Many of the lads just closed their curtains and hid themselves away. I met Prince Charles and Sir Richard Dannatt when they visited Selly Oak. I have respect for them.
"Prince Charles spoke to me for two hours. I really didn't want to speak to Gordon Brown."
Another veteran, who suffered severe injuries when caught in a mine explosion, added: "It was a pretty sour thing, we feel a lot of bitterness towards Gordon Brown.
"The guys read the papers, it is obvious to them that he doesn't care. Many of us felt like it was an effort to accommodate him.
"At the time the Ministry of Defence were trying to sue wounded British soldiers to cut their compensation.
"It was so wrong. It doesn't give the guys any faith in the Government, it doesn't make us feel like they support us or look after us."
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "The prime minister regularly visits wounded service personnel.
"He has the utmost respect and admiration for the soldiers' sacrifice, bravery and dignity. As you would expect, we never comment on the PM's private visits to injured soldiers."
7 Comments
by Simon Hughes, Buckfastleigh
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 3:31PM
“Well James and Michael, I can tell you I join the army in 2002, much later than you. I suggest you all get off your high worse and check it out if you don't believe me - instead of having ago at others. When was the last time you did something for your country (probably not as recently as me). Seen as I joined the most recent, then I am more aware of what the current contract looks like.”
by James, St Leonards
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 1:27PM
“I signed up in 1993 Simon, so not such a long time ago. Just because you agree to follow orders given by the Quenn and her Officers does not negate your right as a British citizen to protest. These men were merely carrying out a right that they had fought to uphold. You done anything for your country lately? Didn't think so.”
by Simon Hughes, Buckfastleigh
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 9:06AM
“That's the problem, right there then, Michael White. You signed up a llllooooonnnnngggg time ago. Things have changed a lot since then. This is why you hear of modern day soldiers saying they are aware of what is expected of them, and no one forced them to sign their name.
This Matthew Weston is clearly just trying to get attention.
If you are so bothered,Michael White, I would suggest you research a little.”
by Michael White, Brugge Flanders
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 8:50AM
“Simon Hughes. If you were ever a military man you must have been a dumb one: for The Contract, as you name it, says nothing of the sort. It certainly says nothing about being sent where the Prime Minister feels they are required. When I signed my Attestation in 1949, my allegence was to King George VI his heirs and successors. Why don't you toddle off to the recruiting office and sign up: or as an alternative try engaging brain before opening mouth.”
by RGA Dave., Stafford (ex-Downderry).
Monday, December 07 2009, 8:41PM
“Well done. Our Forces have the right to be ruled by reliable, trustworthy people who should consider carefully before commiting them to what some may consider an un-winable and possibly illegal intrusion on another sovereign state. When the US says "Jump", our government asks "How High ?".”
by Simon Hughes, Buckfastleigh
Monday, December 07 2009, 5:00PM
“Let me get this right - they join the army and sign a contract saying they are their to fight for their country and be sent where the prime minister feels they are required, but then moan about it later. Why not say you don't agree with the contract, and if both sides cant reach a contract which both sides are happy with, then don't sign it. That's how the real world works.”
by Reg, Pt
Monday, December 07 2009, 12:59PM
“Well done Matthew and any others who carried out this "snub". Brown was only after his "Brownie Points" and cares not a jot about the lads/lasses in this campaign - he has shown that in a number of ways over the last 12 months, and Labour generally, for a lot longer.”