UK Edition
Jeremy Corbyn criticised for wearing 'scruffy' anorak to Armistice Day service
Jeremy Corbyn has been criticised for wearing an anorak to the Armistice Day service at the Cenotaph.
The Labour leader was on Sunday accused of showing a “lack of respect” after he attended the wreath-laying service in Whitehall wearing a navy blue jacket described by critics as “scruffy” and inappropriate for the occasion.
It comes three years after Mr Corbyn faced a widespread backlash for allegedly failing to bow properly after laying a wreath, with critics accusing him of simply nodding his head.
Yesterday, he risked provoking similar outrage when he stood besides Theresa May and her predecessors - all dressed in black overcoats bearing traditional poppies - wearing a jacket with the hood protruding.
The image of the Labour leader drew comparisons with Michael Foot, the former party leader who was accused of wearing a “donkey jacket” to the Remembrance Sunday service held in 1981.
Mr Foot was described by one newspaper columnist as “dressed as if he had just returned from walking his dog’, whilst Labour MP Walter Johnson said he looked like an “out of work navvy” who had shown “gross discourtesy” to the fallen.
On Sunday the radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer questioned Mr Corbyn’s attire, writing on Twitter: “I know it’s petty but does Jeremy Corbyn seriously think that a bright red tie and a scruffy hooded coat are appropriate wear for the cenotaph?
“Or is he just trying to signal to his leftie anti-war chums that he doesn’t really want to be there? Such poor judgment.”
Her comments were echoed by Ben Youngman, who added: “Nice to see that Jeremy Corbyn has turned up for Remembrance day dressed as a scruffy geography teacher.”
He was also singled out for wearing a badge, notably smaller than the conventional lapel poppy.
Rachel Johnson, the sister of the former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, wrote: “I see Jeremy Corbyn has small poppy syndrome.”
However, others suggested that the furore was unjustified and distracted from the significance of the occasion.
They included Ayesha Hazarika, a former aide to Ed Miliband, who said: “Plenty of justified reason to feel dismayed or disappointed at Jeremy Corbyn. His choice of coat or whether he likes the odd glass of wine really isn’t here or there in the grand scheme of things.”
Baron Wood of Anfield, a former adviser to Gordon Brown, also defended Mr Corbyn, drawing a contrast between him and Donald Trump, who caused widespread anger yesterday when he failed to attend an Armistice service on account of the bad weather.
“Speaking personally, I'd choose turning up to pay your respects to your country's fallen in an everyday raincoat over refusing to turn up to pay your respects to your country's fallen to keep your expensive raincoat dry,” he added.