A Labor MP's husband has been charged with “stolen bravery” after he reportedly told colleagues he had served in the commandos.
Former Wolverhampton mayor and former firefighter councilor Greg Brackenridge, 53, boasted to voters that he had a career serving in the Marines.
Despite allegedly telling co-workers that he had served “several years” with the amphibious unit 45 Commando, he did not complete his training.
His wife Sureena won the Labor seat in Wolverhampton North East in July, and her son Ciaran is also a councilor.
Councilor Greg Brackenridge has been charged with 'stolen valor' after he reportedly told colleagues he served in the commandos
Sureena Brackenridge won the Labor seat in Wolverhampton North East, and both her husband Greg, 53, and her son Ciaran are councilors
Councilor Brackenbridge, who is also chairman of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said he had asked the Ministry of Defense to investigate alleged illegal access to his personal military records amid questions about the legality of his service.
Cllr Brackenridge told BirminghamLive he maintained his right to use the term “former Royal Marine”.
In 2021, he also stated: “When I left school, I was a Royal Marine myself.
“I have worked with members of the Sikh community in the armed forces and people from all over the world – Nepalis and Gurkhas.”
Gorkhali are soldiers from Nepal who are recruited into the British army.
His Wolverhampton Labor Group biography, which has since been removed, previously read: “It has been an honor to have served the people of Wednesfied for many years as your councilor and during my previous careers, first in the Royal Marines and as a West Midlands local firefighter Service.
He said his military career was cut short for personal reasons.
His Wolverhampton Labor Group biography has been removed
He told Birmingham Live: “It was devastating because I loved what I did, like any young boy. I find it unbelievable that anyone would attack people who join the military and want to serve their country. I served as a firefighter, now retired, and as a councilor to continue to serve my community.
“What is disturbing is the apparent attempts to illegally access my official records at the Ministry of Defense – which is a clear violation of the GDPR. This is deeply disturbing.
“I am formally asking the Ministry of Defense to investigate this matter and I am in talks with lawyers about next steps.”
The Sun reported that he left before completing his 32-week training in 1988, achieving only the rank of recruit and not earning the Green Beret.
A source told the newspaper: “Until you pass out you're still a recruit and you're not actually a Royal Marine.”
Cllr Brackenridge recently said he was the target of threatening messages following online rumors about his military service, which he believed were intended to “scare” him into stepping down.
The Facebook posts read: “This guy talks about dignity and respect while misleading everyone by suggesting he was a Royal Marine. He didn't do it.
I never missed training. Disgusting stolen valor.
Wolverhampton Council said: “If any allegations are made against a councilor, they will be dealt with through the council's Code of Conduct process.”
Councilor Greg Brackenridge and Wolverhampton's Firewalker Boxing Club owner Kirkwood Walker pose in the ring celebrating the silver medal won by city fighter Ben Whittaker
The disclosure comes shortly after an investigation by authorities led to the suspension of the Fire Service's interim chief executive, Oliver Lee, who sensationally resigned last night.
He quit after a month of power struggles and claims, claiming he had given up “doing what's right” and blasting the Brackenbridge councilor as allegedly “untruthful”.
Lee was the commander of 45 Commando Group from 2009 to 2012, where the councilor claimed to have served.
Its future was to be discussed at Monday's meeting of the Fire Service Board.
According to reports, Cpl. Lee also received a Section 5 legal notice alleging he exceeded his authority on at least two occasions, including when he suspended his chief financial officer for the accuracy of his financial projections.
Last night on his LinkedIn profile he said: “I have spent the last few days fighting hard for the soul of West Midlands Fire Service, an organization I love.
“I have been threatened many times, mainly because I wanted to remain silent on important issues of public interest. I was threatened with an injunction from the Supreme Court today.
– I won't be gagged. I won't destroy my family with huge legal bills either. So I resigned to do the right thing.
“West Midlands Fire Service will now, sadly, be operating as it was when I inherited it: scared, intimidated and unable to be itself. Seeing your leaders as selfish.
“Fire Authority Chairman Greg Brackenridge is lying. He often referred to his service in 45 Commando. I took it at face value, considering his position and the fact that he claimed to have served 15 years before mine.
Fire Chief and decorated Afghanistan veteran Oliver Lee holds both an MBE and OBE
The disclosure comes shortly after an investigation by authorities led to the suspension of the Fire Service's interim chief executive Oliver Lee, who sensationally resigned last night
Before his suspension, Cpl Lee, a former decorated colonel in the Royal Marine, launched an unprecedented attack on those running the Fire Service and claimed on his LinkedIn that it “lacks courage, transparency, caring and integrity.”
Lee served 18 years in the Royal Marines, achieving the rank of colonel at the age of just 37, making him the youngest since World War II.
Recognized for his leadership in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, he was awarded both an MBE and an OBE.
He resigned over the military's denial of justice to former Marine Alexander Blackman after he was imprisoned for killing a Taliban fighter.
Sergeant Blackman was released from prison in 2017 thanks to the help of Daily Mail readers to overturn his conviction for the murder of a wounded Afghan insurgent.
Lee was appointed to the fire brigade after his predecessor, Wayne Brown Birmingham, was found dead after it was discovered that he was is under investigation for allegedly lying about having a master's degree and playing for Charlton Athletic while applying for a £180,000-a-year job.
MailOnline has approached the councilor and Ms Brackenridge for comment.
