Two Birmingham councillors sparked an angry reaction after refusing to take part in a standing ovation for a Solihull George Cross hero.

More than 100 Birmingham City Council members honoured Afghanistan veteran Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher with the ovation at their monthly meeting.

But Respect Party councillors Salma Yaqoob and Mohammed Ishtiaq remaining seated.

Coun John Lines (Con, Bartley Green) fumed: “They should be ashamed of themselves. This was not the time or place to stage an anti-war protest – this man risked his life for his comrades.

“I was happy to give this hero a standing ovation and I have invited him to be guest of honour when we open new houses for ex-military personnel later this year.”

L/Cpl Croucher won the George Cross after throwing himself on an exploding grenade to save the lives of his patrol in Helmand Province in 2008. His rucksack bore the brunt of the blast and was destroyed and his body armour was pitted with shrapnel but, miraculously, the soldier, now aged 27, escaped with only a nosebleed.

The George Cross is the highest decoration for outstanding bravery which does not involve direct contact with the enemy. L/Cpl Croucher, of 40 Commando, attended Tuesday’s meeting as a guest of the council and to highlight his work with the Royal British Legion.

Coun Yaqoob, Respect Party leader and former leader of the Stop the War Coalition in Birmingham, defended the protest.

“It was more about the politicians feeling good about themselves for sending our young men to fight for reasons that have proved to be false,” she said. “I have every sympathy for our soldiers on a human level, they are only doing their jobs.

“But this ovation was just a big public show, it was false patriotism. Wrapping coffins in the flag and awarding medals does not make it right.”

Writing on her blog, Coun Yaqoob claimed that almost 10 years of war in Afghanistan had produced nothing but death and destruction on all sides.

The Sparkbrook councillor, wrote: "I have every sympathy with Lance Corporal Croucher and all his comrades serving in Afghanistan.

"Indeed, I have spoken out before now on the disgraceful lack of support that returning soldiers receive from the very governments that sent them to war.

"But I refuse to stand with those politicians who lack the moral courage to question sending our soldiers to lose lives and limbs in a war that they know cannot be won."

Ms Yaqoob added: "If our politicians really want to demonstrate their support for our troops, they should abandon substituting medal pinning and phoney patriotism for rigorous and honest debate.

"And they could also try reflecting the will of the majority of British people who are opposed to our military presence in Afghanistan, and put their efforts into getting these soldiers home and safe where they belong."

Coun Ishtiaq echoed his colleague’s sentiments. He said: “At the end of the day, if these so-called politicians want to give a standing ovation why don’t they go and fight themselves.

“What we did was out of principle.”

L/Cpl Croucher said: “Obviously not everyone is behind the work we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan and they have their point of view.

“On the other hand, it was nice to be shown respect for the job we do by the overwhelming majority of councillors.”