editorial comment What? Impossible! Only loser take drugs. Not war hero! Ask GWB......

A YOUNG soldier at the centre of a cocaine investigation received one of the country's highest awards for bravery from the Queen yesterday. Corporal Shaun Jardine, 22, was decorated with the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. But he is under investigation for alleged possession of cocaine and faces the boot from the Army if found guilty. Jardine, from Dumfries, who belongs to the King's Own Scottish Borderers, won the cross for heroism in a tour of duty in Iraq last year.

He stormed two Iraqi gun positions single-handed under fire. In April, he learned he was to be awarded the medal at the palace.

But he was arrested outside a nightclub this month when he was allegedly carrying cocaine. If analysis proves the powder was cocaine, he could be cautioned or charged and face a court martial and possible dismissal from the Army.

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