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Jeremy Corbyn will sing national anthem in future, says Labour Jeremy Corbyn will sing national anthem in future, says Labour
(34 minutes later)
Jeremy Corbyn will sing the national anthem at future events after he was criticised for standing in silence at a Battle of Britain memorial ceremony, Labour sources have confirmed.Jeremy Corbyn will sing the national anthem at future events after he was criticised for standing in silence at a Battle of Britain memorial ceremony, Labour sources have confirmed.
The new Labour leader initially defended his decision not to sing, saying it was a respectful ceremony and he stood in respect throughout.Speaking to Sky News, he would not say whether or not he would sing the anthem in future, only saying he would take part fully in events.The new Labour leader initially defended his decision not to sing, saying it was a respectful ceremony and he stood in respect throughout.Speaking to Sky News, he would not say whether or not he would sing the anthem in future, only saying he would take part fully in events.
“I’m going to be at many events, and I will take part fully in those events,” Corbyn said. “I don’t see a problem about this. The issue, surely, is that we had a memorial for the Battle of Britain. I was there, I showed respect for it, and I will show respect in the proper way at all future events. That’s what I will be doing.”Pressed on whether the proper way to show respect was to sing the national anthem, he said: “The proper way is to take a full part in them, and I will take a full part in them.” “I’m going to be at many events, and I will take part fully in those events,” Corbyn said. “I don’t see a problem about this. The issue, surely, is that we had a memorial for the Battle of Britain. I was there, I showed respect for it, and I will show respect in the proper way at all future events. That’s what I will be doing.”
Within minutes of the interview being broadcast, Labour sources confirmed that Corbyn would in fact sing the national anthem in future.The row began after Corbyn was pictured on Tuesday standing silently with his hands clasped and holding his order of service as others around him sang God Save the Queen.Soon afterwards, a spokesperson for the Labour leader said: “Jeremy attended today’s event to show respect for those who fought in conflicts for Britain. As he said in the words issued this morning, the heroism of the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain is something to which we all owe an enormous debt of gratitude. He stood in respectful silence during the anthem.”However, the controversy then grew as some of his shadow cabinet ministers struggled to defend the position.Kate Green, the new shadow women and equalities minister, said: “Jeremy absolutely stands with and respects everybody who has fought, who has lost their life, been wounded in fighting oppressions and defending our freedoms. For many people, the monarchy, singing the national anthem is a way of showing that respect. I think it would have been appropriate and right and respectful of people’s feelings to have done so.” Pressed on whether the proper way to show respect was to sing the national anthem, he said: “The proper way is to take a full part in them, and I will take a full part in them.”
Within minutes of the interview being broadcast, Labour sources confirmed that Corbyn would in fact sing the national anthem in future.
The row began after Corbyn was pictured on Tuesday standing silently with his hands clasped and holding his order of service as others around him sang God Save the Queen.
Soon afterwards, a spokesperson for the Labour leader said: “Jeremy attended today’s event to show respect for those who fought in conflicts for Britain. As he said in the words issued this morning, the heroism of the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain is something to which we all owe an enormous debt of gratitude. He stood in respectful silence during the anthem.”
However, the controversy then grew as some of his shadow cabinet ministers struggled to defend the position.
Kate Green, the new shadow women and equalities minister, said: “Jeremy absolutely stands with and respects everybody who has fought, who has lost their life, been wounded in fighting oppressions and defending our freedoms. For many people, the monarchy, singing the national anthem is a way of showing that respect. I think it would have been appropriate and right and respectful of people’s feelings to have done so.”
There was further confusion after a Twitter account claiming to be the official Jeremy Corbyn campaign, with a verified blue tick, dismissed the row as “tittle-tattle”. A Labour source said the Twitter account was unofficial and run by grassroots supporters, so could not be taken as representative of Corbyn’s views.There was further confusion after a Twitter account claiming to be the official Jeremy Corbyn campaign, with a verified blue tick, dismissed the row as “tittle-tattle”. A Labour source said the Twitter account was unofficial and run by grassroots supporters, so could not be taken as representative of Corbyn’s views.
However, Lisa Nandy, Corbyn’s new shadow energy secretary, came to his defence, saying she found it “offensive” to say the only way you can show patriotism is to turn up and sing a song.However, Lisa Nandy, Corbyn’s new shadow energy secretary, came to his defence, saying she found it “offensive” to say the only way you can show patriotism is to turn up and sing a song.
In the past, Corbyn has called for the monarchy to be abolished. But since winning the Labour leadership election in a landslide victory at the weekend, he has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Queen’s privy council.In the past, Corbyn has called for the monarchy to be abolished. But since winning the Labour leadership election in a landslide victory at the weekend, he has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Queen’s privy council.
The row proved a distraction before Corbyn’s crucial first appearance at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday.The row proved a distraction before Corbyn’s crucial first appearance at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday.
Downing Street said the prime minister attached importance to thenational anthem and was “very proud” to sing it.A spokeswoman said: “The importance that the PM attaches to thenational anthem is visible every time he is at one of thesecommemorative services. He is very proud and willing to join withothers singing the national anthem.”Corbyn has also been embroiled in speculation over whether he willwear a red poppy, a white one or both at Remembrance Daycommemorations. Downing Street said the prime minister attached importance to the national anthem and was “very proud” to sing it.
A spokeswoman said: “The importance that the PM attaches to the national anthem is visible every time he is at one of these commemorative services. He is very proud and willing to join with others singing the national anthem.”
Corbyn has also been embroiled in speculation over whether he will wear a red poppy, a white one or both at Remembrance Day commemorations.