Here is an excerpt from a response to the “story” that appeared in the aforementioned British “newspaper” from Wayne Bulpit, who is the UK Chief Commissioner of Scouting:

The truth about Scouts and knives (07/09/2009)

Never before has the saying “never let the truth get in the way of a good story” been true than the current media coverage about Scouts banning knives. We haven’t and I thought you might appreciate a quick heads up before we circulate a more detailed response. A Mail on Sunday journalist approached us on Friday having read the latest guidance we issued in Scouting Magazine/online in December 08 and April 09 on advising Scouts on the situations in which they can use a knife as part of normal Scout Activities. He was looking to make the story into “Scouts Ban knives shocker”. The media team took them through the facts and sent them links to our various documents and magazine articles giving him the following info, – The Rules changed about wearing knives with uniform in 1968 – We have issued regular guidance to the Movement on this matter ever since 1968 e.g. early 1980′s , 1996, 2008 and 2009 (the latest being the magazine article in April/May) – We need to support leaders with information to help them support young people Despite making these facts available the Mail on Sunday published the piece, They used a few selective statements and quotes some out of context.. A number of newspapers this morning (Times, Telegraph, Express, Mirror, Sun) have taken the text from the Mail on Sunday (without talking to us) and have run with the story. We are busy taking all the opportunities today to put the record straight via broadcast opportunities. Hope this explanation helps reassure you.

More detailed update now available at: http://www.scouts.org.uk/news/225/scouting-refutes-knife-ban-claims More about my great Scouting xperiences over the last 4 days a little later, Wayne

And there was never an official ban. In facts, UK scouts have officially refute the ban:
http://www.scouts.org.uk/news/223/scouting-refutes-knife-ban-claims

The law in the UK states that you cannot wander around with a knife larger than 3″ and that is not lockable or fixed without a valid reason. All the scouts are trying to do is make sure the scout know when an when not to carry a knife.

On a camp a scout can use any knife as long as it is the right situation, you would use a machette to do fine whittling.

Its a classic case of the British press jumping in without the facts and the daily mail is the worst example of this.

Please, check more sources than the Daily Mail.

http://beprepared.me.uk/2009/09/scouts-and-penknives/

That’s the age I was when I started carrying a pocket knife. I decided yesterday to give his brother a Buck sheath knife I have in the basement since he’ll soon be a boy scout.

You can figure my opinion of this whole sad affair.