Birmingham Mail publishes threat against Salma Yaqoob and Mohammed Ishtiaq

Councillors who refused to honour a Royal Marine veteran at a meeting in Birmingham have been warned they will need “24-hour protection” unless they stand down.

A former soldier, who did not wish to be identified, claimed Respect Party representatives Salma Yaqoob and Mohammed Ishtiaq would require a round-the-clock guard unless they apologised for the snub at Birmingham City Council.

They refused to applaud Afghanistan hero Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher when he visited Tuesday’s meeting of the authority as a guest and to highlight his work with the Royal British Legion.

The snub outraged other councillors and left the ex-soldier fuming. He said: “I know many ex-servicemen who are very angry about this. There will be repercussions if this pair are not kicked off the council, they will need 24-hour protection.”

Birmingham Mail, 5 January 2011