Sons of two murdered police officers call on Government to honour their bravery

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The sons of two murdered police officers called on the UK Government to recognise their bravery just days after they collected posthumous awards from King Charles for the men.

Constable George Taylor and Detective Sgt Ross Hunt were among 30 hero emergency workers given the first-ever Elizabeth Emblem at Windsor Castle last week.

George’s sons David Taylor, 56, and brother Paul, 52, and Ross’s sons Philip Hunt, 64, and brother Adrian, 60, welcomed the long-awaited recognition but want the Government to now honour them too.

They are seeking either the George Medal, the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery or the Queens Gallantry Medal which have previously been refused because of a time bar.

A five-year rule operates on the basis that officials then were better placed to decide who receives a medal, according to the Government.

Philip, who lives in Cheshire, said the King told them the Emblem award was long overdue. He said: “It gave us more desire to keep
pushing until we do get that final recognition.”

Adrian, a retired police officer, added: “A bravery medal should have been awarded at the time of our father’s death.” David Taylor, from Law, Lanarkshire was there with his brother Paul, 52, a serving police officer, and said: “This should not be a fight, it should be a given.”

PC Taylor, 27, was killed by Robert Mone and Thomas McCulloch in November 1976 after they broke out of the State Hospital at Carstairs. Philip and Adrian’s dad, DS Hunt, 56, was stabbed to death by three members of a family in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, in June 1983.

The campaign to get the Government to recognise the brave officers is led by George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society and backed by the Sunday Mail.

Downing Street has claimed no applications were made on the officers’ behalf at the time of their deaths.

But Barnsley uncovered a 1977 letter from ex-chief constable Patrick Hamill to the then Scottish Secretary recommending George for an award.

A royal spokesman said: “The Elizabeth Emblem was established as a mark of national recognition. Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.”

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