Remembrance Day ceremonies could be limited to ‘short, focused’ wreath-laying events

Remembrance Day ceremonies were under threat last night from the second lockdown rules.

It was reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock had told Tory MPs that only ‘short, focused’ wreath-laying events will be allowed.

No 10 insisted last night that a decision had not yet been made, but any threat to traditional ceremonies was seen as a disservice to the memory of those who gave their lives in war.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it hoped the national Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in central London will go ahead as normally as possible this Sunday.

The development will add to anger among Conservatives at the latest restrictions.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘What would that brave, selfless generation say, who put up with bombs and death but bravely carried on, to safeguard our freedoms. This decision trashes their memory.’ 

Under the second lockdown restrictions, people are not allowed to leave their homes unless they have a good reason, such as for work or essential shopping, and they can meet only one person from another household outside for recreation or exercise.

Remembrance Day events that do take place will involve limited numbers and will be short. 

On Saturday, the Daily Mail revealed that singing has been banned at the Westminster Abbey Armistice Day service to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Yesterday senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove urged the country to start living by the new rules from today, even though the second lockdown is not due to come into force until Thursday.

Asked whether people should start to change their behaviour now, Mr Gove insisted he didn’t want to ‘hector’ or ‘judge’, ‘Wherever possible we should be observing all of the rules about social distancing, all of the rules about limiting the risk of the spread of the infection,’ he told Times Radio. 

‘But we also need to use Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in order to make those adjustments in our lives and lifestyles necessary so that we can comply with the full force of the new regulations that come in on Thursday.’

A Government spokesman said: ‘We are working with partners and stakeholders to ensure Remembrance Sunday is appropriately commemorated while protecting public health. We will confirm further details shortly.’