Well if military uniforms are at risk of offending some minorities and there are to be designated "no-go" areas for military uniforms , then it seems only fair in this politically correct context , that there should be "no-go" areas for minorities wearing garbs which are offensive to the majority.

Brain, Ontario,

The once great nation of Great Britain that stood up against the Spanish Armada and Hitler's Nazi Germany; are now reduced to a quivaling nation afraid that it might offend someone or some group. Only a shell remains of the once great nation, and sadly, soon even the shell will be gone ... even as Troy is gone.

Proteus, Sacramento, USA

It appears the new immigrants now control the country without a single shot being fired. Another victory for the new immigrants - another defeat for the British people. How extremely sad for Britain and Western civilization.

Linda Rivera, New York, USA

Caving into certain groups, will always bring problems. Who will rise up next and demand the world change for them?

Common sense and decency has left the world!

Bobc, Ky, USA

I'm glad to see most people are standing up against this episode of political correct madness. Be careful though, we don't want to all be charged with a "hate crime" and be brought to the dock at the European Court of Justice or some hate crimes show trial in our own respective countries. PS: Encourage your local elected representatives to support major immigration reform and speak down those left-wing extremist collage groups.

E. Williams, Canada, Canada

If the civilian population is beating up military personnel then it's time for the military to respond back in like fashion. About 50+ years ago in California, USA, a certain ethnic group started beating up US Naval personnel, when the word got back to the military bases the military personnel got dressed in their civilian attire an converged on the site where all of the beatings took place, needless to say after the military got through with their mission, there weren't anymore beatings by the ethnic group.

outspoken2, California, USA

If we had national service then this problem would not exist.

Rob , Lytham, Lancs

I think it is unjust and disgusting that our service men/women should be banned from wearing uniform in certain areas. At the end of the day they serve to protect all of us regardless of race or creed even those it is said they may offend. The problem lies in those areas not the uniform. If the uniform is offensive to some, then perhaps they should go back to where they came from. And our government should afford the respect and protection to our service personnel that they deserve and sort out the home front in this sad nanny nation. I am grateful for the protection of our country by our armed services, probably the best in the world and believe it is a travesty for them to be treated in this way. Surely the police and local council along with Westminster should be getting their act together in these areas and put things right, not us bending to local opinion yet again. Thank you to all our service personnel at least you have my gratitude and respect.

Derek, Bournemouth, UK

In 1958 I spent 6 hours in South Hampton, returning from Germany and wearing my U S Army uniform. I was treated like a hero and really appreciated it, even though it was well after WW II was over.
I feel sorry for these protesters. Maybe they think we made a mistake by attacking Germany. Their life would certainly be different now.

Carr Baldwin, Ishpeming, MI

Those so-called "students" enjoy their freedom as a result of the sacrifices afforded by the blood offered by UK servicemen/women over the years. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Greg, Eagle, USA, Idaho

DANIEL - The article hasn't mentioned Muslims once, it has lumped all minorities together. Since when were Muslims an 'ethnic' minority?

Its okay though, lets just blame all ethnic minorities.

Natasha, London, England, UK

A better idea would be for all the ethnic minorities to move back to there respective countries instead of them forcing us to change everything because they are "offended." PC is going to far in the west! It's time to stand up for Anglo-Saxon culture and civilization! I don't care if you are Muslim, Russian, Somalian, Iranian, Japanese etc. if you move to the West please respect our cultures, traditions and rule of law.

E. Williams, Canada, Canada

That student union should be charged with treason.

E. Williams, Canada, Canada

Natasha, London, England, UK - I think its very obvious that by 'minorities' the paper means muslims.
What planet have you been living on?

Daniel K888, Melbourne , Australia

Once again this country backs down,our armed forces should where there uniform where ever they are. Time for a change of goverment labour are to weak !!

Ian Ridgeway, macclesfield, cheshire

Let us have a military parade in Peterborough and let us gather in the streets to applaud them. We will see if those 'upset minorities' have the guts to even show their faces.

Regards from an angry Spaniard appretiative of what Britain has given me.

FRAN, LUTON, UK

"""These ethnic minorities should try to remember the following:
We did not force them to come here; they came of their own free will, and should abide by our laws. """ -- angelo franklin

Apparently Angelo Fanklin is unable to distinguish between "ethnic minorities" and "immigrants".

Natasha, London, England, UK

no go areas...... outstanding job Britain..... thank God I got out and moved to Canada!!

Ian Elsom, Okotoks / Calgary, Canada / Alberta

when I read about service man & women not being able 2 wear their uniforms for fear of upseting some minority groups, it makes me lough, let me tell you something, I'm a Spaniard & I arrived in your beautifull country in 1969 then we needed a work permit ,wich I had ,if I changed job, I had to ask for permission to the labour exchange, as it was known, plus inform the police every time I changed adress, all that during the first four years untill the home office granted you the permision to stay, wich was not always so, I was never upset by those rules & regulations, like they say, ( WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS DO & IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU KNOW WATT TO DO ] I do not longer live in GB as I'm now retired, but I lived in it for 40 years & I was never a burden on the great country, never lost one day of work, but you know whatt is wrong now the goverment is to soft, get rid of the weeds & return the beautiful garden to its former glory, god save the queen.

ave, santiago de compostela, spain

Personally I have nothing against a soldier in Uniform. On the continent soldiers walk around in uniform without problem (maybe partly because we dont have public service in this country). In general there are no issues so why in this country? As for the minority angle, this is absurd. All people in this country need to acknowledge that they live here, they earn their livings here, get to raise their families in a reasonably moderate society that tries not to enforce too many policies on the population. In return, the sight of a uniform should be totally acceptable. Moreover, the people who choose to immigrate here should try and be part of this culture, not try and enforce their culture. I used to live in Sweden and was quite happy to embrace their culture. Likewise in Canada I did the same. Why do foreigners feel they can come to England an not partake in the country. Take the money, the amenities but not put back by adopting to the country? We must integrate not co-exist!

jaime, london,

"... wear civilian clothes in parts of Peterborough after a number of incidents of abuse by members of the public."

No-go areas in the UK. What on earth has happened to this country?

Neil, Doncaster,

As a member of the reserve forces, I wear my uniform with pride. Regardless of whether you agree with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan or are a pacifist, the servicemen or the Armed Forces joined up to protect people, and as such deserve to be treated with some respect. I am not asking for any sort of hero worship, but it would be nice not to be called a murderer (has happened). As they say, the reason you can sleep soundly in your bed is because men stand ready to do violence against those who would harm you, usually at the loss of some civil liberties everyone else can enjoy.

James, Durham, Durham

I am a student at UCL, where the motion was passed to ban military activity, and I hate that this was allowed to happen. Not only are the forces banned from setting up their societies, but anything remotely related to the military is under threat.
That includes the British Legion Poppy Appeal.
The whole place is a waste of space, changed beyond all recognition into somewhere Ken Livingstone would feel at home.

wiltshire wurzel, swindon,

Its a simple thing really - form then up in uniform and go into the bad areas in force - with pickaxe handles. If offered violence, return it. Lessons are learned and the problem ceases to be.
This has been done before.

Fred, London, UK

I couldn't care less about offending minorities. Surely they should be concerned about offending the MAJORITY!!

Patricia, Ipswich, England

I am astonished to read that students would be against military recruitment stalls at the college. The military stands for far more then just going to war or don't they teach that anymore neither?!
With regard to not wearing uniform in certain public places I feel that it is right to be sensitive to local situations and the military always try to fit in with local community and be part of it.

Judith, Hampshire,

The RAF are unfairly bringing minorities into this as an excuse for their cowardly behavior with regards to wearing uniform in public- they know that in this country as soon as you mention ethnic minorities you can get away with anything. Really there should be no comparison between offending ethnic minorities and offending army personnel.

Sylvia, London, England

Perhaps immigration from 'complaining' communities can be halted and their immigration quota allocated to the Gurkha community instead.

AA, New York,

As an Ex RAF Cranwell Boy and WW 2 Veteran I am appalled at the discourtesy and aggressive behaviour of SOME Peterborough residents, and others elsewhere, towards members of the Armed Forces in uniform when they appear in public. It is an insult to all those living or dead who have served or are serving Queen and Country. My advice to all Veterans, Ex National Service men and others who have served, is to buy and wear with pride, in support of those of our Armed Forces, one of those Baseball Hats embroidered with one’s particular insignia be it Royal Navy, Royal Marine, Army Regiment or RAF that can now be bought for less than £10 through our various Service Magazines

Chris Hills, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex

Uniforms risk offending minorities? So what? There is no right not to be offended. The military should show some courage and encourage personnel to wear their uniforms whenever and wherever they please.

Rowan, Oxford,

Looks like they are winning this one after all as they now that they have the ultimate defenders of the country either cowering in barracks or lurking around the streets in disguise. How soon before the sensitive ones will agitate for troops NOT to be sent overseas for any reason whatsoever.

There was a time when any member of the armed services could not leave base if not in uniform! (In fact had to submit to a dress parade before they could march out. I think they should revert to that rule and insist that every member of the armed services should be made to wear FULL uniform when in public. (Full uniform of course includes side arms).

Peter, Vancouver, Canada

anyone abusing armed forces personnel should be jailed,and should any of these people be guests from another country they should be returned without delay...when is this country going to get a grip and stand firm....i am beginning to get extremely angry and feel that the powerd that be need to show some backbone in this matter and take action...we need to shed the restraints of the eu and be strong..ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...

Steve, notts,

What about the offense caused to the English culture by banning service personnel from earing thier uniforms in public? Without doubt it also offends the many non-English born who have served with pride in the armed services.
Like many others I find the burqa extemely offensive. Imagine the reaction if Moslem women were told not to wear it because others find it offensive.
Yet again complete double standards.

Roz, Lowestoft,

If a "minority" is offended by someone wearing a service uniform in this country, then they do not belong here and should go home.

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

During World War 2, off duty soldiers wore their uniforms around the town and cities where they were stationed or on leave. The public loved them and much back slapping was afforded them. Is the only difference a sixty odd year time lapse?

Not at all.

The difference is that the British public were directly threatened by the war raging around them. The mindless morons who abuse the Queens uniform do it in the safety of knowing they are not directly at risk from a war fought thousands of miles from their front doors.......at the moment!

If the threats in Afghanistan and Iraq and Iraq are not eliminated, the enemy will surely come knocking in one way or another. The servicemen and women are fighting to keep their front doors from being kicked down. Wake up!!

Nick Wilson, Birkenhead, UK

How sad that of the five comments posted ,only one is from Britain.If we don't wake up soon our grandchildren will have to fight a shooting war to gain independence from minorities,who are in control.The abuse is against the uniform,it gives aid and comfort to the enemy ( once a criminal offence ).The police in Peterborough know who the abusers are,they had to deal with them when they rioted,so if they can't handle it give the victims a free hand to take care of the matter themselves.

popeye, Daventry, England

Why bring the minorities into this? The same thing happened during the Vietnam War. The public, dissatisfied with their government's role in the conflict took their anger out on the soldiers. The same is occuring here now. The public has to realise that the soldiers are only folowing orders and the government has to realise that the public is fed up with the wars.

Hamad Lone, London, England

J. Flythe. There is outrage here. Most papers and most TV channels will not report it or even discuss it. We are suffering from a gutless Government which has clamped down on the truth and in a few short years has destroyed our Country. This was started by a Mr. Tony Blair ( a favorite in your Country I understand). However the worm is turning.

Roger, Surrey,

Very soon we WILL BE THE MINORITY, these are our Armed Forces who have shown in the recent medal awards how brave & courage’s they are, showing more courage than these so called minority groups who do nothing for there country, just cost money. It’s a disgrace that this is happening.
The British Armed Forces have my greatest respect and deserve the same from our BRITISH Citizens, No mater what their minority group, they are British and should be proud of it.
What our politicians do is another question they are the ones who put our armed forces in this situation, so have a go at them not the Armed Forces they are doing there job.

Bob, Rhyl, Wales

What is happening to this country? Have we been completely taken over by immigrants? Its high time these minorities were brought under control while they still can be or I dread to think of the future.

Alan, Richmond, uk (I think!)

I am so disgusted with this report that I felt I had to write, this thing about ethnic minority communities feeling offended by our soldiers wearing their uniforms, something they and us should all be proud of in our country , what is the problem,
These people come to our country, a free land, and go about their business were ever they wish, and in whatever cloths they wished without a problem, can you imagine if we had no go areas were you could not go to wearing a turban or burqa for fear of upsetting English Christian people, the outcry would be heard all over.
These ethnic minorities should try to remember the following:
We did not force them to come here; they came of their own free will, and should abide by our laws.

angelo franklin, glopucester, gloucestershire

Mr Brown's comments about the military wearing their uniforms in public would carry more weight if he ensured that the military in Iraq and Afghanistan have the weaponry and armoured protection they require to do their jobs properly, and proper aftercare for the wounded.

Incidentally, where was Mr Brown when those snivelling women complained about disabled soldiers receiving therapy at the local swimming pool?

Michael Smith, Southampton, UK

I did not and do not agree with the UK being involved in Iraq and Afghanistan but that was Tony Blair's fault not the poor service personnel who have given their lives for his whims (and those of the US).
All service personnel should be free to wear their uniform with pride and without fear or prejudice and any persons or groups who try to abuse this right should be dealt with under the law of this land.

John, Shrewsbury,

I have heard some stories in my life, but this takes the cake. It is sad that soldiers, who would die to protect England, are not able to walk around for fear of being abused. I agree, prosecute the abusers to the fullest extent of the law and do not hide behind the excuse of offending minorities. Minority groups willingly settle in the UK but become offended at anything British. I am a South African who lived there for 3 years and if I was ever offended by anything British, i would have kept my mouth shut. I wanted to live there, so I should adapt or LEAVE!!!

The British Army, whether you agree or not, is doing a stellar job and should be praised. Go boys. Wear them with pride. You've eared the right

chris, Tokyo, Japan

Just another example of a Country falling to pieces. The rot set in with the unlimited and unasked for mass immigration whilst millions of people sit on the dole. Little is respected any more and the blame lays firmly at the feet of all politicians who have presided over the demise or have done little to stop it.

Roger, Surrey,

Where is our ability to be bloody minded, to stand up to minority opinion, and to shrug off voices such as this call for service members to discard the wearing of uniform in public? It comes across as pure weakness, and a lack of ruling backbone. Involve the police, deal with any threats from vocal minorities and give no room for appeal against charges brought against these people. The majority of the public would love to see some common sense and some real action against this sort of behaviour.

martin, plymouth,

I take it as these 'sensitive' areas expand- due to the massive influx of new Muslim's to Britain and the population boom in our existing diverse utopias, then the places will diminish that Uniformed service personnel are allowed.

Are we allowed to wonder what the government and all the other people that have made/ or are making this country what it is now, actually are thinking.... and how they translate such utterly blatant warning signs on a national level on a day to day basis.

Future generations will look back on this era and throw their hands up in despair, almost certainly.

Jez W, Leeds,

People don't think our boys and girls should be proud of the uniform they wear? They think our men and women who serve on our behalf should hide in dark corners when off duty!

Sorry, but my reply to them just wouldn't get published.

but I will say this "If you are ashamed of our troops?" then find somewhere else to live because most of us are proud of our guys and gal's and what they do on our behalf, OK there are a few bad pennies, that's nothing new they are to be found in every walk of life, but if you don't approve of them being in other countries then complain to the politicians, don't have a go at the guys on the ground. That's just the cowards way.

Ian J, Ramsgate, UK

It is not the so-called "minorities" abusing the RAF personnel . It is the feral youth , but the devil is in the detail and no detail is forthcoming as to who exactly are abusing them.

John Hereward, Wakefield,

Government and Generals Air Commodores and senior service personnel really do not understand that a large percentage of the population are against "the Wars" - whose war is it anyway? No disrespect to the brave.

jane, Whittlesey, Cambs, UK

Concerning the Peterborough situation, no one seems to have made clear exactly who is giving the service personnel abuse or for what reason. Does the abuse arise simply out of an anti-militarist outlook, simple opposition to specific military operations, or is there some darker reasons for the abuse and hostility?

Lee, London,

Whether a person agrees with a war or not is irrelevant. Military personnel are tasked with defending this country against any deemed threat by the elected government.
If we do not like it lobby the government. Do not abuse the brave men and women who place their lives on the line to protect us.

Ron Barnes, Manchester, UK ,

Which "minorities" exactly have a problem with this?? What is it with grouping all minorities together? I thought it was people who GENERALLY opposed the war who were uncomfortable seeing soldiers?

Im Indian (and therefore some kind of "minority"), yet this is news to me.

Natasha, London, England, UK

For myself, I feel very grateful to the armed forces, firemen, the police and others who frequently put their lives at risk for the protection of our society. They surely have the right to feel proud and wear their uniforms in public. I, for one, feel proud of them when I see them, as I guess do many others.

Gordon Hide, Ruislip, UK

A meeting of the students’ union supported a motion condemning British Forces for waging “an agressive war overseas”. This is the bit that scares me. Students that can't tell the difference between young soldiers who they condemn for fighting the war, but have they passed a motion against the aged politicians who actually started it. Wrong target go after the people who start wars not those who fight them.

Richard East, Bradford,

Our Service personnel should be able to wear their uniforms with pride, the 'minorities' have only been brought in for exploitation by this Government, to enable their financial backers to have acces to cheap labour, it's this issue that needs to be dealt with !
Next time, Vote them out !

Clive Burghard , LANCING, ENGLAND

This is far from an isolated incident. My brother returned from Afghanistan several months ago; the aircraft diverted to Birmingham from RAF Brize Norton due to fog. He was made to change out of his uniform just off the runway because they wouldn't allow them to wear uniforms in the terminal for fear of offending passengers. This was heavily documented on A A R S E and P P Rune. Once the Govt starts respecting servicemen and women, others may follow.

Rachel B, Aldershot, UK

The issue of uniforms seems to me, to be yet another opportunity for the Government and some opposition members, to confirm their absurd isolation from the society which they purportedly represent .
Government ministers seem to be remarkably unaware of the unpopularity of seeing British servicemen and women being visibly involved in conflicts , with which significant numbers of our society disagree.
The fact, that once elected, members of parliament pay little attention to the views of the electorate is self evident-recent performance with regard to the Europe issue is but one example.
It seems to me, that those members of the Public ,feeling dis-enfranchised and ignored on the conflict issue can ,rightly or wrongly, express their dissatisfaction openly by targeting individual members of the Forces, identified by the wearing of uniform ,treaing them with derision or, potentially , much worse.
Wearing civilian clothes off-duty makes sense- it might even save a life.

paul, Tongue, Scotland uk

there are no ethnic minorities-only british citizens and visitors.
an obvious solution would be national service.
when a son or daughter comes home in their new uniform,their british family will be so proud.
wont they?
why ever not?

fraser, singapore, singapore

Military uniforms in the UK are more and more likely to upset more and more people. A minority? A very large and growing minority which is probably by now a majority. The governments involvement of UK troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is incredibly unpopular and possibly criminal in the case of Iraq. Many millions of people oppose these policies, they are a complete misuse of resources and lives effectively making the armed forces in the UK a very bad career choice.
I would criticise anyone who was intending to join up or was in the armed forces and not intending to leave. Especially RAF personnel, I’m completely fed up with rural peace and quite being shattered by their stupid death machines polluting the atmosphere and breaking every law that exists on noise pollution.
It is high time that this country followed the lead of our neighbours such as Sweden, Denmark, Holland, etc. and de-militarised to the point where the armed forces are there for UN directed peace keeping and NOTHING else.

Kevin, Hereford, UK

Ha! It's nothing to with offending "minorities". During times of wars, people who wear army/military uniforms on the streets are under serious risk. Basically, they are walking targets.

jayil, london, uk

I reckon there are a few areas in Helmand province and around Basra airport, where UK military uniforms are also "offending minorities". Will these be the next "no go zones" for HM's forces?

Adrian, London, UK

What happened to the Crime of ''Insulting the Queens Uniform" ? Did that disappear along with the Treason Act? However i guess the Police have other things to do than arrest people for Real Crimes.
If I was 20 years younger, I would have emigrated from this sad country long ago.

Howard, Basildon, England

This is ridiculous, I suppose the next thing will be that one cannot fly the Union Jack, because it might offend some minority or other. Please telll me this is an early April Fools joke.

Alex Pistophides, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada

What are you thinking. The idea that a British soildier should not wear his uniform because it may offend some minority is insanity. Prosecute the people offering violence to the soildiers. Send them back to God knows where. Don't punish the soildier. What is happening to your once proud nation? First the whining that the Proms may offend, now a uniform. I'm furious and I'm American. Where is the outrage?

J. Flythe, Augusta, Georgia, USA

If the "minorities" don't like it, tough.

This is the UK and why should our men and women in uniform have to appease them ?

Stan(expat), US, USA

Why exactly should ethnic minorities have a problem with military uniform? Our armed forces protect all of us, ethnic minorities included, from a wide ange of threats. If the ethnic minorities can't tolerate our servicemen and women just as our society tolerates them and their differences, they need re-education at a deep level, above all re-education in what it means to be a UK citizen. If there are verbal or physical attacks on soldiers or others, then it's a police matter, and the culprits need to be treated the same way any one of us should be treated if we abused members of racial minorities because of their clothes or skin or beliefs. This just plays into the hands of extremists.

Dr. Denis MacEoin, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

I think this is a hopelessly confused story. Banning Service personnel from wearing their uniforms has nothing to do with students passing anti-war motions. Anti-war motions are an example of free speech; one of the things our service personnel fight to preserve.

We can have all the antiwar motions anyone wants, but it must never be the case that we concede control of national territory as a no-go area for troops in uniform.

We know all too well that once that principle is conceded, it will lead to a ratcheting effect. Next will come the removal of the Police and their replacement by ethnic vigilantes, the removal of teachers and their replacement by religious scholars, the closing of churches for fear of giving offense, the banning of the Union Flag.

The weak Willies who pretend to run the country won't like this advice, but it will cause less uproar to put a stop to this today than when the British Isles have been Balkanized along religious and ethnic lines.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA