War veteran to stand against Hoon

A war veteran is to stand against Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon

An 85-year-old ex-Navy Commander is to stand against the defence secretary in the general election to boost his medal campaign for World War II sailors.

Eddie Grenfell has travelled from his Portsmouth home to Geoff Hoon's Ashfield constituency to compete for his Nottinghamshire seat on 5 May.

As an independent, Mr Grenfell hopes to highlight the Arctic Medal Campaign for those who served in the Arctic Convoys.

Mr Hoon said Labour had put more money than ever into veteran affairs.

But Mr Grenfell said it was "a terrible thing" that servicemen and women were not honoured.

We fought against Nazi injustice for five years and here we are, still fighting against injustice, but this time it's Geoff Hoon ex-Navy Commander Eddie Grenfell

The father-of-two said: "We think that it was such a terrible thing that every other campaign received a medal even if they were not in action.

"You could spend a few days in the Mediterranean without action and get a medal, but spend five-and-a-half-months in the Arctic and be in a ship that sunk and get nothing.

"I spoke to Mr Hoon and I put in front of him documents saying it would be easy to go to the prime minister to say we have got a good case. He refused.

"We fought against Nazi injustice for five years and here we are, still fighting against injustice, but this time it's Geoff Hoon."

The convoys were a vital supply line for the Russian forces between 1941 and 1945, transporting by sea provisions and weapons to help them fight the Nazis.

Valiant effort

The journeys were perilous as the ships became regular targets for U-Boats and dive bombers.

Mr Grenfell was among only a few to survive the sinking of the Empire Lawrence, a catapult aircraft merchant ship.

In a statement, Mr Hoon said: "Labour has always recognised the sacrifice and bravery of our veterans.

"We were the first government to appoint a minister for veteran affairs and Labour has put more money than any other ever before into veterans' issues including £27m of lottery funding between 2004 and 2005.

"I have enormous admiration for the Artic Convoy Veterans."

Veterans' sacrifice

A spokesman for the Conservative Party said: "It is sad that Commander Grenfell needs to highlight the case of the Arctic Convoy veterans at all.

"A Conservative government would award a medal to these courageous veterans."

Gerald Howarth, shadow minister for defence, said: "The government has failed to take the opportunity to recognise the sacrifice of veterans of the convoys by awarding a dedicated campaign medal."

Wendy Johnson, the Liberal Democrats' prospective parliamentary candidate for Ashfield, said: "The Artic Convoys were in such danger of dying just by hitting the water because of the cold.

"All of these people made such a valiant effort in the war movement.

"Their story needs to be told. I have to say I applaud Mr Grenfell. He is quite right to get these heroes properly recognised."

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Other prospective parliamentary candidates in Ashfield:

Kate Allsop, Independent

Sarah Hemstock, Veritas

Giles Inglis-Jones, Conservative Party