A campaigner was today delighted after Euro-MPs dropped proposals to force the British merchant fleet to fly the European flag.
Saul Newbury, 80, of Langdon Hills, was adamantly opposed to plans to replace the Union Flag in the corner of the Red Ensign with a European logo.
Flying the British Sailors Society flag - Saul Newbury Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
Serving with the Navy since he was 14-years-old, Mr Newbury felt the changes would undermine the achievements of the British Navy in the past.
He said: "The whole world owes a lot to Britain. Where would we be if it hadn't been for our superiority at sea in the World Wars?
"We should be proud of that. When the news came through that the change would not go ahead, my old chum in Harwich couldn't tell me the news quick enough."
The idea of adding the EU's emblem to the red ensign was rejected in a vote in Strasbourg on tighter controls on maritime safety.
Published Wednesday January 14, 2004
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