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PM and Cameron sorry over photos | PM and Cameron sorry over photos |
(20 minutes later) | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron have apologised after claims they used an Armistice Day service as a photo opportunity. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron have apologised after claims they used an Armistice Day service as a photo opportunity. |
Officials at Westminster Abbey raised concerns that the leaders had failed to notify senior staff they were to be pictured in its Field of Remembrance. | |
Mr Cameron had hired a photographer, who pictured him inspecting tributes on crosses in the garden. | Mr Cameron had hired a photographer, who pictured him inspecting tributes on crosses in the garden. |
Later, Mr Brown was also pictured there. Neither visit was scheduled. | Later, Mr Brown was also pictured there. Neither visit was scheduled. |
Both leaders had been attending a service to mark the passing of Britain's last remaining World War I veterans. | Both leaders had been attending a service to mark the passing of Britain's last remaining World War I veterans. |
Head of communications at the abbey, Duncan Jeffrey, told the BBC he had raised concerns with the leaders' spokesmen. | |
Abbey staff could "do without distractions" on such an important day involving a live broadcast, he said. | |
'No repeat' | 'No repeat' |
A Conservative party spokesman said the decision to take photographs was made "at the last minute" and that permission was sought from officials at the Field of Remembrance. | A Conservative party spokesman said the decision to take photographs was made "at the last minute" and that permission was sought from officials at the Field of Remembrance. |
"We apologised for any misunderstanding and have given assurances that it won't happen again," he said. | "We apologised for any misunderstanding and have given assurances that it won't happen again," he said. |
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Following the service at the abbey that morning, the Prime Minister expressed a desire to visit the Field of Remembrance, as an appropriate way to recognise those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. | A Downing Street spokesman said: "Following the service at the abbey that morning, the Prime Minister expressed a desire to visit the Field of Remembrance, as an appropriate way to recognise those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. |
"We apologised for any inconvenience caused by this late change of the programme." | "We apologised for any inconvenience caused by this late change of the programme." |