Defence Secretary John Healey has been pictured not wearing a poppy in Downing Street – despite calling on the public to “honour and remember” Britain’s war dead just one day earlier.
Though Healey also urged the public to support their local poppy appeal today, he was seen walking towards No10 with no poppy on his lapel as he attended a pre-Budget Cabinet meeting this morning.
GB News was told that the Defence Secretary had changed his jacket to one without a poppy “just before a meeting” at Downing Street.
But Healey’s morning wardrobe change came at a momentous time – ahead of Labour’s first Budget in 14 years.
Healey had sported a poppy on his lapel on Tuesday – but smiled as he went without one on Budget day
PA
It also followed the signing of a new defence agreement between Britain and Germany a week ago.
Back then, Healey had smiled as he shook hands with German counterpart Boris Pistorius at London’s Trinity House – wearing the symbol of Remembrance as he did so.
Three days later, he sat down with veterans at The Poppy Factory in Richmond-upon-Thames, with whom he was pictured making a poppy wreath.
He said: “Every November, the nation unites in remembrance of those who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy today.
READ NEXT:
Healey was seen walking towards No10 with no poppy on his lapel as he attended a pre-Budget Cabinet meeting
PA
John Healey, pictured on Downing Street ahead of the Budget today
PA
“I’m proud that members of our Armed Forces will be at the forefront of commemorations at the Cenotaph, across the UK and on operations around the world.
“Organisations like The Poppy Factory show that remembrance makes an impact all year round, supporting the veterans community and recognising their service and sacrifice.”
Yesterday, he encouraged “everyone to support the local poppy appeal and pay tribute to those who serve” as he unveiled two Poppy Buses in his Rawmarsh & Conisbrough constituency.
But still, Healey smiled as he arrived at No10 this morning without the symbol – though later emerged from the Prime Minister’s residence having bought a new one inside.
Healey posed with Germany’s Boris Pistorius – wearing the symbol of Remembrance
PA
John Healey helped make a poppy wreath at The Poppy Factory last week
GETTY
Healey was later seen leaving No10 having bought a new poppy
GETTY
A source close to the Defence Secretary told GB News: “The Defence Secretary had changed his jacket just before a meeting and bought a new poppy as soon as he arrived at No10.
“He has deep respect for our Armed Forces and all those who paid the ultimate price to defend our country, as he said when he visited the Poppy Factory last week.”
The Shadow Defence Secretary had already been helping to put up poppies on lampposts in Rawmarsh and Ravenfield – and has been out selling the pins with the Royal British Legion in Wath.
The source added that he will “also be selling poppies with the Royal British Legion tomorrow to mark London Poppy Day”.