THE chairman of Dorset Police Federation is so incensed at the government's reluctance to honour a murdered police officer with the George Cross that he is returning his two medals to Tony Blair in disgust.

Clive Chamberlain says he will no longer feel proud or comfortable wearing the Long Service and Golden Jubilee medal he was awarded for his policing service and has decided to send it to the Prime Minister in protest.

DC Stephen Oake was stabbed to death during a counter terrorism raid on a house in Greater Manchester. He was part of a team of officers trying to arrest a man in a raid linked to the discovery of deadly poison ricin in London.

Mr Chamberlain says staff in the Home Office have declined to give DC Oake an award in recognition of his bravery and the Prime Minister has refused to ask for a review of the decision.

When this was challenged in the House of Lords, the following statement was read: "All member of Her Majesty's government were deeply saddened by the tragic circumstances of DC Oake's death. The sacrifice he made in the line of duty is appreciated by us all. His courage will inspire officers young and old for many years to come."

Writing for the Police Federation magazine Police, Mr Chamberlain said: "The failure of this government to truly recognise Stephen's bravery is an insult to both him, his family, friends and colleagues and will be an irremovable stain on the Prime Ministership of Tony Blair. It demonstrates a complete lack of understanding for what he gave and I believe those responsible for the decision should be named.

"This is a gross injustice and it is clear that there is no willingness to reconsider. I know that I will no longer feel proud or comfortable wearing my Long Service or Jubilee Medals and so have decided to send them to the Prime Minister as a mark of my disgust."

As my friend Paul Kelly, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, recently said: "Stephen, we salute you, regardless of a piece of tin or a ribbon we will never, never forget you."