A SENIOR West Fife councillor has been criticised for her conduct at Inverkeithing’s Remembrance Day parade.

Yvonne Thorpe said members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service were disappointed with the behaviour of Councillor Alice McGarry at the service and claimed she was acting like she was on a “Saturday shopping exhibition”.

Yvonne Thorpe, secretary of the Association of WRNS (Fife branch), wrote to the Press: “Cllr Alice McGarry chose for whatever reason known to herself, to join with veterans at the front of the parade on our return march from the church service to the Civic Centre.

“She failed to afford the respect due to this sombre occasion by chatting and laughing during the whole march to a gentleman who, as an ex-service member, should have known better.

“She swaggered along with hands in her pockets as if she was on some stroll with a pal on a Saturday shopping expedition.

“Cllr McGarry should hang her head in shame at the lack of respect shown to the formality of this occasion.

“I would have spoken directly to Cllr McGarry about her behaviour at the end of the formal part of the ceremony, however, I couldn’t as she had disrespectfully stepped out of the platoon before we had reached our final destination to be formally dismissed.

“I was completely dumbfounded by her complete lack of understanding to the importance and symbolism of the Remembrance Day parade for serving members and veterans.

“I would urge Cllr McGarry, if she intends to attend next year’s ceremony, that she walks alongside other elected leaders and dignitaries at the back of the parade and not within the body of veterans.

“I also suggest that she adheres to the protocol of marching/walking in silence to not only show respect but also afford time to reflect on the sombre nature of remembering ‘our fallen’ as this particular occasion dictates.”

Councillor Alice McGarry responded: “There is no rigid order that I’ve ever been aware of – and I’ve been attending these for 30 years – for the return parade to the civic centre as many individuals go home immediately after the parade to the cenotaph and the church service.

“The return march is not the solemn affair that is the Remembrance Service at the cenotaph or the placement of wreaths followed by the church service. Individuals do chat to friends and acquaintances.

“Not being a conscript, I left the march as it entered the civic centre as I had to be somewhere else imminently.”