Tri-Service
Defence Secretary Backs Bill To Prosecute Military Fakers
The Defence Secretary says he'll support a bill calling for imposters, who wear military medals they are not entitled to, to face possible criminal charges.
Responding to the Commons Defence Committee - who say the "unauthorised and deceitful" use of military decorations is insulting to the rightful recipients and damages the integrity of the military honours system - Michael Fallon said: "I fully support this Bill. Medals recognise our forces staff who risk their lives for our freedom. It's important their service is properly protected."
Ministers are being urged to back a private member's bill creating a new criminal offence, tabled by Conservative MP Gareth Johnson, when it comes before the Commons on Friday.
It would carry a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment or a fine of £5,000. The committee said:
"Such behaviour is not only insulting to the rightful recipients of these awards, but also damages the integrity of the military honours system and the bond of trust and respect between the public and the Armed Forces."
Legislation making the unauthorised wearing of medals a criminal offence was originally introduced in the aftermath of the First World War by the then secretary for war, Winston Churchill.
It remained on the statute book until 2006 when the new Armed Forces Act came into force and the provisions relating to military decorations were not carried over.
In its evidence to the committee, the Ministry of Defence argued there had been problems with the way the original legislation was drafted, while anyone improperly using medals for financial gain would be caught by the Fraud Act which carried higher penalties.
However, in its report - entitled Exposing Walter Mitty - the committee said such laws were "commonplace" in other countries and that the unauthorised wearing of medals constituted "a harm that is worthy of specific criminal prohibition". It added:
"We conclude that there is a tangible and identifiable harm created by military imposters against members of society who should rightly be held in its highest esteem. Therefore, we believe that specific prohibitions to mitigate this harm are justified."
The committee chairman Julian Lewis said: "Other countries have sought to maintain these sanctions, for reasons of deterrence and punishment, whilst the United Kingdom has foolishly disposed of them.
"We support the aim of the bill to remove this anomaly, and have called our report 'Exposing Walter Mitty', because those who seek public admiration by pretending to have risked their lives are contemptible fantasists who need to be deterred."
Cover image a file photo of a Royal Navy sailor wearing his medals at a ceremonial event.
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