A FEW years ago a female nurse and a female doctor, working in a war zone and facing the same risks, were rightly recognised for their bravery. They were both honoured with awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. However, although both displayed equal courage they were not equally honoured.
The doctor was awarded the OBE and the nurse was given the slightly less prestigious MBE. Talk about perpetuating the class system!
READ MORE: Alan Cumming praised for returning OBE over legacy of monarchy and empire
Alan Cumming, the scales having fallen from his eyes, has finally and rightfully returned his OBE but surely he had misgiving in 2009 when he first accepted it. He surely knew what the initials stood for.
In a funny way I have the moral high ground here because I once declined an invitation to a Holyrood Garden Party in 1992. So well done to Alan for generating so much publicity – I’m afraid my gesture of defiance caused not a ripple!
Bill Drew
Kirriemuir
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