Express & Star

Protest after Walsall Mayor's VE Day snub

War veterans furious after the Mayor of Walsall snubbed the town's VE Day commemoration as it clashed with the local election count, have raised a petition in protest.

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Mayor Councillor Pete Smith and his deputy Councillor Angela Underhill were replaced by West Midlands Lord-Lieutenant Paul Sabapathy who led the ceremony instead on May 8.

But members of the Walsall and Bloxwich branch of the Staffordshire Regiment Association said they were 'disgusted' that the civic leader and MPs missed the two-minute silence held outside the Council House, in Lichfield Street.

They say the situation was made worse when the authority put out a press release stating that the mayor had, in fact, taken part.

Branch secretary of the veterans group, Andrew Singer, aged 62, said: "I have got 20 signatures from our members who say they are disgusted that there was no mayor or deputy or MP there. It was left to the Lord-Lieutenant to oversee the parade.

"We thought it was absolutely disgusting that they could not be bothered to make it to the town hall to show their respect for 10 minutes, for something that was written in blood 70 years ago by the young men of Walsall. I have spoken to the council about this and so far I have received a verbal apology from the press office for providing information that the mayor was there, when he wasn't."

He said copies of the petition along with a letter outlining their concerns were being sent to the mayor, Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz and Walsall North MP David Winnick.

Councillor Smith said the decision not to attend was not taken lightly and followed advice from town hall advisors.

In a statement Councillor Smith said: "It has been brought to my attention that a recent Walsall Council press release, mistakenly states that I was in attendance at a commemorative Victory Europe Day event at Walsall Council, this was not the case.

"In this instance and due to the special significance of the event - it was agreed beforehand that the Lord-Lieutenant would lead proceedings in and outside the council building.

"Paul Sabapathy, Lord-Lieutenant is Her Majesty, The Queen's representative in the West Midlands and holds a distinguished civic position.

"This civic seniority made him the most appropriate dignitary to lead the proceedings on the day. A number of veterans from across the borough were invited as respected guests to this private civic event to mark the 70th anniversary of VE day. The service was also attended by civic officers and representatives of the armed forces."

Among the those in attendance was Leamore's RAF veteran Bernard Benson who was in Germany on VE Day on May 8, 1945.

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