Petition · past parliament
Bistow Medals on Members of the Police & the SAS for the Iranian Embassy Siege
Rejected
20 signatures
What the petition asks
The most famous hostage rescues in history terrorists took 26 hostages inside the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980, SAS commandos stormed the building to bring it to a dramatic end.
inside the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980, and after six days of tense negotiations, SAS commandos stormed the building to bring it to a dramatic end.
The rescue was broadcast live on TV, gripping the nation and it was the first time the public had seen the highly secretive SAS in action. Now, nearly 40 years later it has come to light that chief negotiator Max Vernon, and former SAS soldier Rusty Firmin, the late John McAleese and the rest of the men have not had any recognition.
The rescue was broadcast live on TV, gripping the nation and it was the first time the public had seen the highly secretive SAS in action. Now, nearly 40 years later it has come to light that chief negotiator Max Vernon, and former SAS soldier Rusty Firmin, the late John McAleese and the rest of the men have not had any recognition.
Why it was rejected
It was about honours or appointments, which petitions cannot cover.
We can't accept your petition because it asks for someone to be nominated for an honour.
Members of the public can nominate people for honours directly. You can find out how to nominate someone for an honour here:
https://www.gov.uk/honours
Members of the public can nominate people for honours directly. You can find out how to nominate someone for an honour here:
https://www.gov.uk/honours
Timeline
| 23 Nov 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 29 Nov 2017 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
20
Status
Rejected
Rejected
29 Nov 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.