The mothers of two slain Fife soldiers have slammed military chiefs for refusing a bid to visit a memorial in Afghanistan despite flying in celebrities on trips to see troops.
Linda Mason-Buchanan, 50, of Kelty, wanted to pay tribute to son Corporal Tam Mason, 27, at Camp Bastion.
But the Ministry of Defence labelled her a “security risk” and blocked the trip.
Heartbroken Linda who this week marked the fourth anniversary of his funeral told The Courier: “I see no reason why mums can’t go out there. They couldn’t do a job lot. But I don’t see why they can’t take a few out at a time.
“If they let me go it could finally bring closure.”
It was her view that celebrities like Cheryl Cole, footballer David Beckham and X Factor judge Gary Barlow, who had made recent trips to Afghanistan, were “more of a security risk with their entourages”.
She has been supported by Jane Duffy, 54, of Tayport, whose son Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, was killed in Afghanistan.
But the Ministry of Defence defended the decision, saying: “Although security has greatly improved, Helmand Province remains dangerous.
“Were we to allow visits there would be a risk to the safety of bereaved families and protection personnel. Occasional, carefully coordinated visits by celebrities contribute greatly to morale.”
Corporal Mason, who served with The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died six weeks after stepping on a roadside bomb in Kandahar in 2009.
The camp memorial is inscribed with the names of troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 and carries the poignant inscription: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave your today.”
The plaques are to be moved to the UK when the army withdraws from Afghanistan next year.
Linda, who openly still struggles with the loss of her son, told The Courier of her ongoing battle with depression.
She said: “I only get through each day because of diazepam. I’m still on medication and I’m still treated for depression since losing Tam.
“I feel that going over to Afghanistan standing where he stood, breathing the air he breathed, might bring me some closure. I feel it’s something I really need to do.”
With the anniversary of her son’s funeral and the forthcoming Remembrance weekend, Linda said this was a “hard week”.
On Sunday she will be at the new Garden for Heroes which she helped found in Dunfermline.
She added: “It’s been very important to get the Garden for Heroes established. That’s what’s driven me. It’s kept me going.”