Following the protest against the Royal Anglian Regiment’s welcome home march in Luton Councillor Qurban Hussain, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Luton South said, “We totally condemn the violence of this completely isolated and unsupported minority. In a mature democracy like ours protest may be passionate but should be totally non violent and not against the troops who performed their duties bravely and faithfully acting under orders given by their political masters.”

The leader of Luton Liberal Democrats, Councillor David Franks said “We share the anger of those outraged by the suffering, particularly that caused by the illegal war in Iraq, but it is clear the anger should be directed in peaceful protest against the Labour and Tory members of parliament who voted for the war and not in violence against the men and women who were simply following orders. Nothing can be gained by allowing understandably strong feelings to be exploited by extremists or nationalists looking to promote their own divisive agenda. Now is the time for Luton citizens of all races, religions and heritage to demonstrate their unity, as we always have done, by standing shoulder to shoulder in our determination to resist those who seek to divide us.”