As Britain’s returning “heroes” are selling their stories for six-figure sums (in dollars), here’s one who can’t get a look-in:

Private Johnson Beharry’s courage in rescuing an ambushed foot patrol then, in a second act, saving his vehicle’s crew despite his own terrible injuries earned him a Victoria Cross. For the BBC, however, his story is “too positive” about the conflict.
The corporation has cancelled the commission for a 90-minute drama about Britain’s youngest surviving Victoria Cross hero because it feared it would alienate members of the audience opposed to the war in Iraq.

How brave is Private Beharry? He’s the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross since two Aussies, Keith Payne and Rayene Stewart Simpson, were honored with the Commonwealth’s highest award for gallantry in 1969 for their service in Vietnam, and he’s the first living recipient in the British Army since Lance-Corporal Rambahadur Limbu of the 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles won his in the Confrontation with Indonesia in 1965. Private Beharry is one of only 12 living Victoria Cross holders. But his story might “alienate” the British public.