HWB - I had browsed the link to the petition (whose originator seems blissfully unaware of the Elizabeth Cross, by the way) before posting.
When referring to a 'chap' I was referencing the person - most definitely male - who is leading the NDM campaign and was suggesting that the petition may have been inspired by him or his comments to the press. There is a possibility that he has a further agenda, as he is running for election to parliament against a member of the AFPS and appears to see attacking the AFPS as a potential weapon in his bid to overturn a rather large majority against him.
But my point remains - the petition is calling upon people to protest against something which doesn't actually happen. MPs do not get awarded medals just for paying a visit to Afghanistan, or before that, Iraq.