That 'Long March Through The Institutions' Isn't Stopping...

Richard Clarkson and Ian Pedrick had more than 60 years' of life saving experience behind them when they were fired from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) after the incident in Bolberry Down near Salcombe, Devon.

Oh dear! Were they racist? Sexist? What could possibly have caused such immediate action?

Richard and Ian, who followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by becoming a member of the coastguard 42 years ago, were part of a team sent to the scene of a runaway car.

But when they got there the crew stood down because the vehicle had stopped further down the slope and no lives were in danger.

The pair decided to change out of their coastguard uniform and used Richard's personal Land Rover and equipment to tow it back from the cliff edge.

*blinks*

But because the coastguard vehicle had not been brought back to the station they were both still on duty and moving the car was not in their remit.

They were deemed to have committed a technical breach even though they has not used the coastguard's Land Rover or any supplied equipment.

If you're thinking this sounds a little familiar, you'd be right. Yet more slavish devotion to 'the rules' rather than a pragmatic approach with people who are, after all, volunteers.

I wonder if the MCA is also now headed by an expensive CEO from the professional charity sector?

'If we had taken the coastguard Land Rover back to the station none of this would have happened.'

Yes, it's that barmy. Or rather, to be expected when the people in charge are no longer hired on the basis of their dedication but rather on how well they parrot the required progressive agenda.

The owner of the car, who has not been named, said he was 'appalled' the two men had been sacked and described the dismissal as a 'total overreaction'.

As will everyone who reads about it.

The MCA said it would be 'inappropriate to comment at this time'.

Translation: "We've got to have time to get our PR Team on this quickly!"