Chair welcomes news that Wales’ First Minister backs Elizabeth Medal
22 September 2023
Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy says a posthumous award to recognise the sacrifice of emergency services workers killed on duty was long overdue.
Matthew urged the Westminster government to introduce an Elizabeth Medal which will formally recognise those blue light workers - including police officers - who make the ultimate sacrifice.
He was speaking after Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford gave his backing to the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) ‘Medals for Heroes’ campaign.
The campaign calls for an Elizabeth Medal to be given posthumously in recognition of emergency services workers who are killed in the line of duty, including police officers.
Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford (left) and Elizabeth Medal
campaigner, Bryn Hughes MBE.
Matthew said: “I’m really pleased to hear that Mr Drakeford has given his support to the Federation’s long-running campaign for official recognition of emergency services workers killed in the line of duty.
“It’s a significant step in reaching the campaign’s goal.
“The establishment of an Elizabeth Medal to show formal gratitude on behalf of the country to those who are killed serving and protecting the public would mean a lot to so many people.
“We’re slowly getting there and it won’t be before time when it actually happens.
“It’s already long overdue and it’s now up to our political leaders to make it a reality.”
The ‘Medals for Heroes’ campaign was launched by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the Police Superintendents’ Association and the Prison Officers Association.
It’s being driven by Bryn Hughes MBE, the father of PC Nicola Hughes, who was murdered along with colleague PC Fiona Bone in Manchester in 2012.
Mr Drakeford had met Mr Hughes, at Tŷ Hywel, in Cardiff, on Wednesday (20 September) to discuss the campaign and afterwards gave it his formal backing.
He said: “It has been a privilege to meet Bryn Hughes MBE and hear about his tireless work as part of the ‘Medals for Heroes’ campaign.
“Emergency workers who have been killed in the line of duty should be recognised for their efforts keeping their local communities safe.
“I give my full backing to this campaign calling for recognition for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Nicky Ryan, PFEW’s Welsh lead, said: “I am thrilled to hear that the First Minister has pledged his support for such an important campaign.
“When Mr Drakeford and Bryn met at the Bravery Awards earlier this year, we initiated yesterday’s meeting but didn’t expect it to happen within a matter of months.
“I’d like to thank Mr Drakeford and his team for their speedy response in ensuring the meeting took place so quickly. It is so much appreciated.
“I hope that Mr Drakeford’s peers will follow in his footsteps and voice their support for the campaign, so we can work towards taking it over the finish line and finally have a medal in place for our fallen colleagues.”
Bryn said he was “extremely encouraged” by the meeting.
“I feel like we’re no longer taking baby steps towards an Elizabeth Medal becoming reality, but giant leaps. It’s all very positive at the moment,” he added.
On Monday (18 September), the day that marked 11 years since Nicola and Fiona died, Ruth Jones, the MP for Newport West voiced her support for the campaign in Parliament when she asked Chris Philp, Minister of Policing to ‘do the right thing and acknowledge those who gave their lives to keep us safe?’
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last week said that Labour would honour emergency services workers killed on duty.
Ms Cooper, speaking at the Police Superintendents' Association conference, said: “We believe that those who give their lives to keep British people safe on our streets at home should be recognised and honoured for the work that they have done.”
News surrounding the campaign comes days before this year's National Police Memorial Day, which will be taking place on Sunday (24 September) to honour officers killed on duty.
