Imperial War Museums deal heartbreaking insult to bravest of the brave

It is heartbreaking for me to comprehend that my collection of Victoria Cross and George Cross gallantry medals is due to be dismantled and removed from public view. I have spent four long decades amassing the world's largest collection of VCs and now it seems inevitable that, as a result of a decision by the Imperial War Museums, these medals from the "Extraordinary Heroes" exhibition will disappear into a vault for the foreseeable future.

Since learning of the IWM's baffling decision from an intermediary, there have been some silver linings to the cloud hanging over the closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery after just 15 years. They include being joined by so many distinguished guests, including VC and GC recipients, at the gallery today. Many of these men, whom I like to refer to as "the bravest of the brave", told me they shared my belief that the IWM's decision to shut the gallery is wrong and short-sighted.

Another silver lining has been the reaction from so many members of the public who have written to me to express their opposition to, even their disgust at, the decision. Many of these people are convinced that there are politically correct motives behind the move.

Now my overwhelming hope is that, before the gallery closes, thousands of visitors will go to see, free of charge, a collection of well over 200 VCs and a further collection of GCs.

The VC is Britain and the Commonwealth's premier medal for gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The GC is Britain and the Commonwealth's premier medal for bravery not in the presence of the enemy.

Yet another silver lining has been the generous offers, including from abroad, to house my VC and GC collection, either in the short term or longer term, so that the decorations can continue to be enjoyed by tens of thousands of people every year.

There are still obstacles relating to these offers but I hope they can be overcome.

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For more information on his work, visit . Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft