SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BACK COMMEMORATIVE LANCASTRIA MEDAL

The Scottish Government has backed calls to commission a commemorative medal for Scots involved in Britain's worst ever maritime disaster and confirmed that they have made official representations to the British Government to ensure all those who were aboard the Lancastria are officially recognised. The news came during a debate secured by SNP MSP Christine Grahame who has worked for some years with Lancastria families to secure greater recognition for a disaster which was officially covered up. Ms Grahame said tonight:

"This is wonderful news for the families and I am absolutely delighted that at last there has been official recognition given to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those survivors who endured the horrors of the sinking and the decades of official silence.

"The pressure is now clearly on the British Government to ensure that all those who were aboard, regardless of their nationality, are properly and formally recognised.

"This is a significant day for the campaigners and Scottish Ministers have demonstrated real stature in moving to recognise a tragedy which has been ignored and forgotten by successive British Governments."
Chairperson of the Lancastria Association of Scotland Fiona Symon, whose father Andrew Richardson from Kirkcaldy was one of the estimated 400 Scots killed in action aboard the Lancastria added:

"This has been a very emotional day, but I am delighted at the announcement by the Minister and the Scottish Government. I cannot thank them enough on behalf of myself and the Lancastria survivors and relatives.

"The medal is a tangible acknowledgement of the sacrifice of the victims and endurance of the survivors. Despite the passage of 67 years since the loss of the Lancastria the pain and heartache of families is still very real and was made worse by the official cover up and lack of recognition. Today the Scottish Government has moved to address that. I do hope now that the British Government will follow the lead taken here and ensure UK wide recognition for all those who were aboard the Lancastria that day."

SNP It’s time.....