Anger amid sorrow as fallen soldier returns

The Union flag-draped coffins carrying Rifleman Aidan Howell and Sapper David Watson were driven through Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire, after repatriation to the UK yesterday.

Rifleman Howell, 19, of 3rd Battalion the Rifles who was born in south east London, but moved to Leeds when he was one, and Sapper Watson, 23, of 33 Engineer Regiment – a bomb disposal expert – from Newcastle were killed in Afghanistan in the last week of December.

A Leeds United Union flag was placed on top of the hearse carrying Rifleman Howell, who supported the club.

Yesterday's parade came as Islam4UK said it would apply to the police to march with symbolic coffins through the town.

Friends of Rifleman Howell, Steven Stratford and Pete Bell, criticised the plans.

Mr Stratford said: "If they want to protest they should do it in London against the Government, not here. Wootton Bassett is where the soldiers come back, all of them, as heroes."

Mr Bell added: "Imagine Aidan's mother and father seeing that; it's the lowest of the low. It's been very difficult to be here today, but we have been made very welcome by the people of Wootton Bassett.

"We all came down from Leeds by coach but I would have walked every inch of the way."

Mr Stratford said: "Aidan was a true hero, there could not have been a better friend, he would have made a day like today into fun."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he views Islam4UK's idea as "offensive" while Home Secretary and Hull MP Alan Johnson said any he would back any request from the police or councillors to ban the march.

But Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said he did not agree with a ban.

He said: "People have a right to march. People might not like it, but that's the law."