THE parents of a Northallerton red cap soldier killed in Iraq have come to the defence of the town's mayor after he was accused of disrespect.

John and Sandra Hyde, whose son L Cpl Ben Hyde died last year, have praised Coun Tony Hall for his support for remembrance memorials and services in Northallerton, saying they are astonished by criticism aimed at the mayor.

In a letter to the D&S Times, the president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion accused Coun Hall of failing to show the proper respect by "dashing out" after this year's Remembrance Sunday service.

All Saints' churchwarden Helen Davison defended Coun Hall, saying he and other civic dignitaries were led out after the service in line with protocol.

Mr and Mrs Hyde joined in denouncing the criticism.

In a letter to the D&S Times, Mr Hyde says his wife was sitting with Coun Hall and his wife during the service. "They exited the church on the instruction of the churchwarden and certainly did not rush as they followed the curate and other members of the church," he writes.

The mayor is praised for his commitment to memorials in the town.

"Over the last 17 months I have attended a number of services concerned with honouring our service men and women who have died in conflict, all of which have been attended by the mayor," says Mr Hyde.

"For the last two years in July, I have laid a wreath in the grounds of County Hall at a memorial dedicated to service personnel who have died since 1945. On each occasion the mayor was by my side, laying his wreath in memory of the fallen."

Mr Hyde says Coun Hall has been extremely supportive following the loss of their son, who was killed with five other soldiers during an attack on a police station.

"On learning of the death of our son on June 24 last year, Coun Hall was one of the first to offer his condolences on behalf of the town council," says Mr Hyde. "When my wife and I asked if we could place a bench in memory of our son in Northallerton cemetery, within 24 hours we were told the town council would do this.

"Under the guidance of our mayor, the town council allowed me to erect a memorial to all six of the Royal Military Policemen who died on June 24, 2003."

Mr Hyde says the mayor attended a memorial for L Cpl Hyde on the anniversary of his death this year and a dedication service for all six of the red caps who died on that day.

Mr Hyde adds: "It is very much due to Tony Hall that our son's name is now on the war memorial in Northallerton and I know that he was very pleased and proud to be able to attend a service of re-dedication to add Ben's name.

"Anyone who thinks our mayor shows a lack of respect has obviously not attended the number of memorial services I, and our mayor, have attended over the past 17 months.

"My wife and I will always be grateful for the support we have had from our mayor, the town council, and indeed the whole population of Northallerton. They have treated our son Ben as a hero. Ben loved his home town of Northallerton and Northallerton has showed us how proud they were of him."

See Letters, page 2