I am disappointed in the reaction of a handful of councillors who have expressed outrage because our families have not been invited to the civic reception following the Freedom of the Borough ceremony for the Rifles.

As per my email to all councillors, I think it’s a great shame if we lose sight of what this ceremony is about – which is to honour the courage of the Rifles and to thank them, and to also remember those who lost their lives.

I personally think that this is the point of the day and it is not important whether or not our partners or family attend the reception – they can join the many hundreds who will no doubt turn out on the day anyway. I know many of my councillor colleagues share this view.

Cllr Jane Montrose, Town Hall, Bournemouth