Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois MP, joined Prime Minister David Cameron and other MPs and Peers to welcome the First Mechanised Brigade to Parliament, following their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Members of the First Mechanised Brigade were welcomed to Westminster by MP’s, staff and members of the press, who gathered outside Westminster Hall to welcome the troops home, before they were addressed by the Prime Minister.
David Cameron thanked the Brigade for their service to their country, through their work in Afghanistan, in helping to make it a safer and more secure state, not only for the Afghan people, but for the rest of the world as well. Mr Cameron also paid tribute to the three members of the Brigade who, sadly, were unable to return home with their comrades.
In his role as Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark was also able to subsequently address the returning soldiers to welcome them home and to thank them for their service.
Commenting on the event, Mark Francois said:
“Parliament makes the decision to send our troops to war and it is only fitting that Parliament should also play a role in welcoming them home. Therefore, I was honoured to have the chance to address soldiers from the First Mechanised Brigade and to convey, on behalf of the Government, our enormous gratitude for all they do to keep our country safe.”