George Cross, Awarded to RUC
The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has said the award of a prestigious honour by Queen Elizabeth to the force was a humbling experience. It is only the second time that the George Cross has been awarded for collective courage. Until now, the decoration was only conferred on the island of Malta in 1942 in recognition of the unparalleled bravery of its people.
Sinn Féin described the award as grossly offensive, but Seamus Mallon of the SDLP said that it represented the reality that many RUC members and their families had suffered greatly and demonstrated courage over many years. He added that the Patten Report remained the road map for the future of policing in the North.
Speaking at RUC headquarters in Belfast, Sir Ronnie Flanagan dismissed queries over the timing of the award. He said that it had nothing to do with the political situation, and described it as a solemn recognition of past sacrifices by members of the force and a huge incentive for the future.
