Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson, led a Member’s business debate in The Scottish Parliament last night regarding the campaign to establish a new award for emergency workers who are killed in the line of duty.
He called on the Scottish Government to support his bid for a provision to be made within the UK honours system for future and posthumous cases, allowing the families of those tragically killed to receive recognition for their service.
MSPs from all parties agreed with Mr Simpson’s motion and raised other important issues including the welfare of emergency workers and individual acts of bravery.
Mr Simpson was initially alerted to the issue by the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society (LPHS) who asked him to look into the cases of Constable George Taylor (killed November 1976) and Detective Sergeant William Ross Hunt (killed June 1983) of the former Strathclyde Police Force. Both were overlooked for a posthumous award.
He has since been in regular contact with the UK Government, including Home Secretary Priti Patel, Chloe Smith, Alister Jack and more recently the Cabinet Office minster Lord True.
The UK Government confirmed that cases which took place more than five years ago cannot qualify for the Queens Gallantry Medal and as a result many families of emergency service workers do not receive recognition unlike Armed Forces next of kin who receive an Elizabeth Cross.
He paid tribute to both the families and the LPHS, who were in attendance, and thanked Scotland’s Chief Constable Iain Livingstone for recognising both men with a Chief Constable’s Bravery Commendation.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Keith Brown, offered the Scottish Government’s support to the campaign and said it was incomprehensible that both officers hadn’t already been recognised.
Mr Simpson hopes this debate will encourage the UK Government to consider the proposal, so 999 workers like Constable Taylor and DS Hunt can finally get the recognition their heroism deserves.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson MSP, said: “It is essential that the sacrifices of our brave emergency service workers are acknowledged in our honours system.
“These are people who put themselves at risk every single day to ensure that the public are kept safe. Tragically, a very small number have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
“The very least their grief-stricken families deserve is to know that their heroism and devotion has been recognised by the nation.
“At the moment there is no designated honour for brave emergency service workers who are killed while serving the public – and that’s something we must put right.
“That is why I called on fellow members of the Scottish Parliament to back my proposals to establish an honour to uniquely recognise these brave men and women.”
Adrian Hunt, son of DS Hunt said: "The Hunt family are extremely grateful to George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, Graham Simpson MSP, The Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Federation for recognising, acknowledging and supporting the campaign to have both PC George Taylor and our father Detective Sergeant William Ross Hunt posthumously given UK bravery awards.
“This is something which should have been done at the time and without hesitation following their brutal killings.
“The family also thank the Scottish Parliament and those from across the Political divide for accommodating a debate on such a personal matter which would have meant so much to Ross' late widow, Marjory.
“Ross and George's sacrifice, protecting the Public should never be forgotten and it is hoped the steps now being taken, will reflect this and offer our respective families some comfort from the legacy we have been left with. "
