Exclusive: Margaret Mullane MP Condems Vile slur on Britain’s armed forces.

“In so many conflicts troops and other military personnel from Dagenham and Rainham have bravely put their lives on the line to protect democracy and freedom, for their memories to be belittled in this way is appalling.“

Dagenham and Rainham MP, Margaret Mullane, has condemned the comments made by US President Trump about the role of Britain’s armed forces during the fighting in Afghanistan. Margaret has signed an Early Day Motion in Parliament on the role of British and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

President Trump had belittled the commitment that NATO forces, which included a strong contingent from Britain’s armed forces, in coming to the aid of the USA following the terrorist attacks on the twin towers in New York and two other sites on 11 September 2001.

Margaret told the Havering Daily: “Those comments from President Trump were a vile and untruthful slur on the bravery of British forces and indeed on the servicemen and women from many other nations that had answered the call from America to help them eliminate the risk of international terrorism based in Afghanistan. 

I see that he has tried to row back on his comment, but he hasn’t apologised and this will not be forgotten. 457 UK service personnel were killed in that conflict, over 2,200 others suffered injuries, many of which have been life changing. Countless others bear the scars of PTSD and other issues resulting from their service on the front line.”

Margaret added “Our military personnel fought side by side with US troops and I am pleased to see that the President’s comments have been disowned by many high ranking US military officers who know the truth. President Trump’s comments bring shame to our joint relationship and bear no relation to the bravery and heroism shown by our combined forces.

His Majesty King Charles has made clear that the valour and commitment of our armed forces should be recognized.

In so many conflicts troops and other military personnel from Dagenham and Rainham have bravely put their lives on the line to protect democracy and freedom, for their memories to be belittled in this way is appalling. 

Those political parties here in Britain that seem to be so supportive of President Trump really should be vocal in calling out the lies and denigration of our armed forces.”

EDM 2673 – Role of British and NATO forces in Afghanistan

That this House remembers the many British soldiers who, alongside European and NATO allies, risked their lives in Afghanistan; recognises the vital role the United Kingdom and our European partners had in the region between 2001 and 2014 following the declaration of NATO’s Article 5; pays its deepest tribute to the thousands of soldiers who suffered often life-altering injuries and the 457 British soldiers who lost their lives, including Crawley residents Scott Summers and John Brackpool; and rejects any suggestion that NATO troops avoided the front line of the conflict.

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