Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, has backed calls, in the House of Commons, for an award for the relatives of emergency service workers who are killed in the line of duty.
The proposal was put forward by the Member of Parliament for Beckenham, Colonel Bob Stewart DSO, who suggested that the new award should be known as the “Prince Philip Cross”, subject to permission from the Queen, and explained it would apply to members of the police, fire and ambulance services.
The award would mirror the Elizabeth Cross, which is already given to the next of kin of military personnel killed on operations or as a result of terrorism. During the debate, Defence minister Leo Docherty MP, who was replying for the Government, said Home Secretary Priti Patel MP was committed to reviewing the current recognition and commemoration of the police to see if there was anything more that could be done.
In advocating the proposed new award (in a speech which began at 01:20am), Mark Francois said:
“As a former Minister for Veterans, I have seen for myself the great comfort that can be brought to next of kin who receive the Elizabeth Cross if their armed forces partner has given their life in the service of their country. Given that Prince Philip’s whole life was about public service, I think that, providing that the palace and, ultimately, Her Majesty the Queen approve of the concept, it would be extremely fitting to name such a cross after his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. I cannot think of a more fitting way to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, not on the battlefield, but in other ways, for the service of their countrymen.”
