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Jeremy Corbyn to miss Privy Council meeting Jeremy Corbyn to miss Privy Council meeting
(34 minutes later)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will not be attending a meeting of the Privy Council because of "prior commitments", his spokesman says.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will not be attending a meeting of the Privy Council because of "prior commitments", his spokesman says.
It would have been the first chance for Mr Corbyn to be sworn in to the ceremonial group of advisors.It would have been the first chance for Mr Corbyn to be sworn in to the ceremonial group of advisors.
Opposition leaders can receive briefings from the security services through their membership of the group.Opposition leaders can receive briefings from the security services through their membership of the group.
Tory MP Alan Duncan said Mr Corbyn had to decide whether he was a serious political figure.Tory MP Alan Duncan said Mr Corbyn had to decide whether he was a serious political figure.
What is the Privy Council?What is the Privy Council?
The Privy Council's role is to advise the monarch of the day in carrying out their duties, such as the exercise of prerogative powers and other functions assigned to them by Acts of Parliament.The Privy Council's role is to advise the monarch of the day in carrying out their duties, such as the exercise of prerogative powers and other functions assigned to them by Acts of Parliament.
Much of its business is rather routine and is concerned with obtaining the monarch's formal approval to orders which have already been discussed and approved by ministers or for the arranging for the issuing of royal proclamations. Queen Anne was the last monarch to refuse an order.Much of its business is rather routine and is concerned with obtaining the monarch's formal approval to orders which have already been discussed and approved by ministers or for the arranging for the issuing of royal proclamations. Queen Anne was the last monarch to refuse an order.
Read a full guide to the Privy Council.Read a full guide to the Privy Council.
Last month Mr Corbyn, a lifelong republican, refused to say whether he would kneel to the Queen as part of the traditional swearing-in ceremony.Last month Mr Corbyn, a lifelong republican, refused to say whether he would kneel to the Queen as part of the traditional swearing-in ceremony.
His spokesman said the Labour leader could not make Thursday's meeting because of prior commitments and had sent his apologies.His spokesman said the Labour leader could not make Thursday's meeting because of prior commitments and had sent his apologies.
Mr Corbyn's team has not said what the engagement, preventing his attendance, is.
The council has about 600 members - although only a handful usually attend the monthly meetings.The council has about 600 members - although only a handful usually attend the monthly meetings.
Prime Minister David Cameron was sworn in as a Privy Counsellor in March 2006, three months after he became leader of the Conservatives.Prime Minister David Cameron was sworn in as a Privy Counsellor in March 2006, three months after he became leader of the Conservatives.
Analysis: By political correspondent Iain Watson
Jeremy Corbyn's team say he hasn't snubbed the Queen by declining to attend today's meeting of the Privy Council. They say he simply couldn't attend and is awaiting a further invitation. He won't be alone in his non-attendance today.
Usually only about half a dozen ministers attend, and the quorum - which makes the meeting official - is just three. Not every leader of the opposition rushes to be sworn in at the first opportunity - David Cameron took three months to attend.
The ceremony involves a rather elaborate form of lowering yourself to the monarch. It also involves the extensive oath to the Queen, which as a republican, he might find more objectionable. The question is whether Jeremy Corbyn is delaying his swearing in, or trying to avoid it.
Mr Duncan, who is also a Privy Counsellor, said Mr Corbyn seemed to want to put politics above the Queen.Mr Duncan, who is also a Privy Counsellor, said Mr Corbyn seemed to want to put politics above the Queen.
He also added that the new Labour leader needed to decide if he wanted to be a serious political figure or a perpetual rebel.He also added that the new Labour leader needed to decide if he wanted to be a serious political figure or a perpetual rebel.
Meanwhile, the SNP's leader at Westminster Angus Robertson - who has also been appointed to the Privy Council - confirmed he would be attending the meeting on Thursday.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said the MP had said it was essential in order to receive intelligence briefings.