Back-benchers: Grandparents who took on the PM return to favourite spot
DEFIANT grandparents Peter and Margaret Cox have spoken for the first time about their shock brush with fame – and how Prince Edward gave them a royal seal of approval.
The Plympton couple sparked a national debate earlier this week when The Herald exclusively revealed their stormy run-in with the Prime Minister.
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The 77-year-olds were ordered out of a prime bench on the Hoe to make way for David Cameron during last weekend's Armed Forces Day – after getting there early to watch their grandson take part in HMS Argyll's steampast.
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But, after kicking up a fuss, then reluctantly moving to another bench, they were approached by an apologetic Prince Edward.
And the fiasco not only hit the headlines in several national newspapers this week, but was also the subject of a lengthy and impassioned BBC radio phone-in.
The couple have since been inundated with calls from friends and relatives wanting to hear more about their newfound celebrity status.
Journalists have been knocking on the door of their Moorland Avenue home and hundreds of strangers have spouted their opinions on the incident online.
The Herald took the great-grandparents back to the spot on the Hoe yesterday to relive the drama.
"We were just so stubborn," Mr Cox laughed. "We wouldn't shift. I was so annoyed when they told us to move.
"We'd been stood there waiting for a seat for ages – and we're no youngsters."
But the couple, who had no idea the spot had been designated for VIPs, as it was not cordoned off, said they were not the only people ordered to budge by police officers and the PM's security guards.
A war veteran who fought in Malaya and had travelled from Newcastle for the celebrations was also told to move, Mr Cox claimed, along with several wheelchair users.
He described HRH The Earl of Wessex as "a real gentleman" for coming over to say sorry about the "manic" debacle.
"He said, 'Good for you for holding your ground'," Mr Cox added. "I'd never met a royal before. He was a real gentleman.
"It's been quite an experience being in the news. We were on holiday in Ilfracombe and our son Ian rang to say we were in the newspapers. I couldn't believe it. All our friends have rung up and said, 'You're famous at last!'."
Comments
by Bob_Wickerman
Sunday, July 08 2012, 12:20AM
“Swapshop quote- 'The people of the country should know that the Tories are the Biggest Back Stabbers to Everyone'..
Labour have always been pretty good with the knife too mate over the past 50-odd years. For example the first thing "Red Dennis" Healey did as Defence Minister when Labour got in around 1960 was to axe Britain's sensational TSR-2 bomber then under development..”
by Bob_Wickerman
Sunday, July 08 2012, 12:15AM
“Incidentally how did Cam, Ted and assorted big shots get to Plymouth now that we haven't got an airport?
Let's hope they were annoyed enough to start asking questions when they got back to London about how the numpty Plymouth council lost us the airport..:)”
by Jayanner
Saturday, July 07 2012, 8:32PM
“Your grandson must be very proud of you. I would be very proud of my grandparents if they had done the same. well done to you...........”
by olddogbreath
Saturday, July 07 2012, 7:44PM
“Another Herald non story. Now let us let these two old people get on with their lives and enjoy their heating allowance and free bus pass whilst they can.”
by PL1Plym
Saturday, July 07 2012, 12:26PM
“NEXT!”
by SwapShop77
Saturday, July 07 2012, 11:32AM
“The PM Came to see the Armed forces. then the next day the secretary or the MOD turned around and stabbed the Army in the Back. The people of the country should know that the Tories are the Biggest Back Stabbers to Everyone. Also it has Emerged that the Govenment is to cut more public spending and jobs to save money. So thats WHY the cost of borrowing has increased to £18 billion. George osborn is getting less in TAX and spending more on benefits.”
by ChezGuevara
Saturday, July 07 2012, 10:56AM
“I think the PM should resign over this just to give the comic Herald some news for once. Lol”
by clotjam
Saturday, July 07 2012, 10:53AM
“What sdo you expect from someone who first hugged a hoody, but now in power wants to send them back to their mothers.
Also who as a youngster himself, liked to terrorise the eateries of the Thames and elsewhere with his gang of top hats and tails, not realising for one minute that when in a seat of power as on Thorny Island, that absolute power means the power of the Media showing him up as The Idiot?”
by thebakers
Saturday, July 07 2012, 9:34AM
“Well done to them for standing thier ground, however, I was there with my family and my 70 year old dad and stood behind Mr Cox and were asked to move politley. I had no problem with this as did the people around me. Why doesn't the press report what actually happened and why so much fuss!”
by Brizolboy
Saturday, July 07 2012, 9:14AM
“Yawn! Not really news is it?”