Top Tory hits back at accusations over past

COUNCILLOR SAYS MEDALS AND QUALIFICATIONS ATTACKS ARE 'BELOW THE BELT'

- MARTYN SMITH Local Democracy Reporter

Cllr Damian Corfield with his grandfather's war medals and master's degree certificate

A LEADING Dudley councillor has spoken out to quash online allegations he was not being honest about his past.

Cllr Damian Corfield says claims he faked being a military veteran and gaining high level qualifications are unfounded.

The Conservative council cabinet member and Dudley armed forces champion has been the subject of repeated attacks on social media which were sparked by an image of him wearing military medals at an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war.

Cllr Corfield said: "I have got my grandfather's medals from the Second World War and also my cousin’s campaign medal from the Falklands.

"I wore them at the 40th anniversary, naively I did not understand the protocol and pinned my cousin’s medal on the left.

"A veteran quickly corrected me, the left is only for those that have served.

"I was put right and made an apology, they recognised it was an honest mistake.