Labour MP’s husband accused of exaggerating military career after lying about Royal Marines service

A LABOUR MP’s husband has been accused of “stolen valour” for exaggerating his military service.

Councillor Greg Brackenridge, 53, has boasted of being a Royal Marine — but never finished training.

three men are standing in front of a sign that says west midland
Councillor Greg Brackenridge boasted of being a Royal Marine despite allegedly never finishing training
The badge for veterans of the Iraq War from 1990 to 1991 was allegedly spotted on Brackenridge

The ex-Wolverhampton mayor — who told voters he had a “professional career” in the elite force — has been pictured wearing a Royal Marines Corps tie and what appears to be a badge for veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War.

His wife Sureena won the Wolverhampton North East seat for Labour in July and their son Ciaran is also a Wolverhampton councillor.

In a 2021 interview, while mayor, former firefighter Cllr Brackenridge told journalists: “I served as a Royal Marine myself when I left school.”

He allegedly told colleagues he served for a number of years in 45 Commando.

But The Sun understands he failed to complete the 32-week training in 1988 and left at the rank of recruit without earning his coveted Green Beret.

A source said: “Until you pass out, you’re still a recruit, you’re not really a Royal Marine.”

The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, which exposes military imposters, called it “an insult” to the corps.

This week Cllr Brackenridge said his military career was “cut short” for personal reasons.

Wolverhampton Council said: “Where any allegations are made against a councillor, they will be dealt with through the council’s Code of Conduct process.”

Cllr Brackenridge added that he was pictured wearing a Wolverhampton County Council badge, which was not related to the military.

a man and a woman are posing for a picture and the man is wearing a robe that says mr. mayor
The former mayor pictured wife Sureena Brackenridge, who won the Wolverhampton North East seat for Labour in July
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Sureena Brackenridge, MP for Wolverhampton North East takes part in a panel discussion on Winning the next General Election on day one of the Labour Party conference on October 08, 2023 in Liverpool, England. The Labour Party go into their 2023 conference with a 19-point lead over the ruling Conservative Party and fresh from a definitive win in the Rutherglen and Hamilton by-election in Scotland. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Ms Brackenridge, speaks at a Labour Party conference event during 2023

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