Veterans have reacted with outrage after a vessel that saw action in the Falklands War was painted in rainbow colours to celebrate “Pride.”
Foxtrot 8, which landed on the South Atlantic archipelago during the 1982 war, was painted in the colours by its current owner, Portsmouth Historic Quarter, to mark the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on homosexuality within the Armed Forces.
“To paint a landing craft that was used in the Falklands War in pride colours is entirely inappropriate,” a retired senior Royal Navy officer told The Telegraph. “What next? Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory in rainbow colours?”
Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who served in the war, said the decoration was “quite inappropriate”.
Frankly, this battle was fought and won 25 years ago when gays were openly allowed in the Armed Forces.
This is something that has been fought and won. The drum doesn’t need banging any more.
Meanwhile, retired Colour Sergeant Dean Ferguson, who also served in the Falklands, said:
Our Falklands dead will be turning in their graves.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said:
Pride flags have no place on naval ships, in our classrooms, or flying above Government buildings. Let’s stop making everything about what you like to do in the bedroom and get back to work.
