Muslim councillors refuse to take part in standing ovation for Marine who won George Cross

[link to www.dailymail.co.uk]

Two Muslim councillors were under fire today after they refused to take part in a standing ovation to honour a Marine who won the George Cross.

Salma Yaqoob and Mohammed Ishtiaq remained seated during a ceremony for Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher.

The 26-year-old was awarded the George Cross after he flung himself onto a Taliban hand grenade to save his comrades during an ambush in Helmand Province in 2008.

But when the councillors stood to give him a standing ovation Cllrs Yaqoob and Ishtiaq, who are both members of the Respect party, refused to get to their feet.

Fellow councillors today reacted with fury at the snub and branded the pair 'shameful'.

Conservative Cllr John Lines said: 'They should be ashamed of themselves.

'This was not the time or place to stage an anti-war protest - this man risked his life for his comrades.

'I was happy to give this hero a standing ovation and I have invited him to be guest of honour when we open new houses for ex-military personnel later this year.'

Conservative Cllr Peter Douglas Osborn added: 'As far as I am concerned it is no longer the Respect Party, but the disrespect party.'