Labour MP’s husband urged to quit council after findings of ‘stolen valor’

A 56-page independent report into Wolverhampton City Council affairs has concluded that Greg Brackenridge, a former Labour councillor who now sits as an independent, repeatedly told colleagues and voters that he served in 45 Commando Royal Marines and wore the green beret. The inquiry found that Brackenridge did not complete Royal Marines training, leaving the course after 30 weeks in 1988 and earning the rank of recruit. The council said his public statements and appearances created the impression of a substantial military career and amounted to a breach of the authority’s code of conduct, bringing disrepute on the council and his office.

The investigation found Brackenridge’s conduct extended beyond a single claim. He allegedly used his supposed military service to bolster his role on the council’s armed forces covenant board and to bolster his public image during campaigns. In campaign literature, he referenced a Royal Marines background and, on at least one occasion, claimed to have worked alongside Gurkhas and Sikhs through his service. The report also notes his appearances in council-related events where he wore a Royal Marines-related tie or an Iraq War veterans badge, reinforcing the impression of a lengthy career in uniform. Veterans quoted in the document expressed anger and disappointment, saying the deception disrespected those who served and their families.

Brackenridge, 54, is the Wednesfield South representative and was previously the Mayor of Wolverhampton. He told council colleagues and residents that his experiences in the military shaped him, including claims of serving with 45 Commando and traveling with Gurkha units. The report concluded he did not have the right to be called a Marine Brackenridge or to claim service with 45 Commando. It described the deception as an act of personal and political gain that damaged trust in public officials. Brackenridge has since been suspended from the Labour Party, first in October of the previous year, then readmitted four months later under a formal conduct warning, and suspended again in July after the council’s investigation.

The council’s leadership and members from multiple parties condemned the findings. They criticized Brackenridge for failing to engage with the inquiry and for revising an apology that the council had asked him to sign. The panel that produced the report noted that it could not compel the council to suspend him under existing rules, a point echoed by Labour councillor Rita Potter, who presented the investigation’s findings and said the council did not have standing to eject him. Potter and others urged Brackenridge to do the right thing and step down; some warned that his refusal to resign would erode public trust further.

The case also touches on politics beyond the council chamber. Brackenridge’s wife, Sureena Brackenridge, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East and a former mayor, is facing questions over what she knew about her husband’s claimed military past. Critics have called on the MP to address the matter publicly to clarify her role or knowledge of her husband’s conduct during his campaigns and at public events. Their son, Ciaran Brackenridge, also serves as a Labour councillor for the same ward, adding a family dimension to the political fallout.

The council’s leader, Stephen Simkins, said Brackenridge had “let the city down” and signaled that reforms to the conduct regime may be necessary to allow swifter action when councillors misrepresent themselves. Conservative councillor Wendy Dalton backed calls for Brackenridge to resign, while local Conservative leader Simon Bennett noted questions raised by the revisions to the apology Brackenridge offered. Bennett emphasized the importance of transparency in any future accountability measures.

Legal and regulatory questions loom over the next steps. While the council cannot suspend Brackenridge under its current framework, Labour’s local leadership has indicated it could pursue further disciplinary actions through internal processes. Brackenridge has told reporters he remains committed to public service but has not publicly stated a definitive plan beyond acknowledging the need to address the situation. It is understood he wrote to the council leader to indicate an intention to step down in May 2026, a development that would bring a long-running controversy to a close if confirmed. The council has not issued a formal timeline for resolutions or penalties, and representatives say the door remains open for additional changes to governance rules that govern councillor conduct.

Comment requests from Brackenridge and the Wolverhampton City Council were not immediately returned. The broader political impact of the findings will likely continue to hinge on how local leaders balance accountability with public trust as the May 2026 timeline approaches.