Wolverhampton councillor Greg Brackenridge suspended by Labour Party amid Royal Marines anger
The move follows claims he 'exaggerated' his service record following public bust-up with West Midlands Fire Service head
by Jane Haynes, https://www.facebook.com/politicsandpeoplebrum/ · Birmingham LiveWolverhampton councillor Greg Brackenridge has been suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation amid claims he 'exaggerated' his time in the Royal Marines to suggest it amounted to a 'professional career'. The husband of Wolverhampton North East MP Sureena Brackenridge has been at the centre of a row over his service.
He was a teenage recruit in the 1980s but has confirmed he never served on the frontline or saw active service, having to leave within a short period of joining because of a family emergency. He says he was honourably discharged.
We understand he was notified yesterday, Thursday, October 16, he was being 'administratively suspended' from the party in the wake of complaints. This has the automatic effect of suspending the Labour whip over his role on Wolverhampton Council.
The beleaguered councillor had already stepped down from chairing West Midlands Fire Authority after five years in charge. He had been heavily criticised by Oliver Lee, the decorated Royal Marines colonel who was brought in to lead the fire service only to fall out publicly with Coun Brackenridge.
Mr Lee alleged Coun Brackenridge had told him he had served in his beloved 45 Commando. Coun Brackenridge has refused multiple overtures to evidence how long he served.
For his part Coun Brackenridge has alleged he was the victim of a security breach of his military records, and says he has faced threats and abuse as a result of the claims about his military service. In a BirminghamLive interview he said he joined the Royal Marines on leaving school but had to cut his time short because of a family emergency.
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Despite being urged to 'come clean', he refused to discuss whether or not he completed his Marines training and achieved the Marines' prized green beret, and whether he had been stationed with 45 Commando or any other unit.
In some media coverage, Coun Brackenridge had also been accused of wearing a Gulf War service pin, only awarded to those who saw frontline service. In fact the blurred badge image is a City of Wolverhampton council pin, according to sources close to the councillor. Media who repeated the claim have removed it.
His wife has separately been accused of drawing on her family's history of service on the election trail. The Labour party would not comment on the suspension or its cause. We have attempted to contact Coun Brackenridge, without response.