Anger as ‘scruffy’ Corbyn lays wreath in an anorak

The Labour leader was accused of being ‘scruffy and disrespectful’ when he appeared with Theresa May and other party leaders to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Mr Corbyn’s grey rain jacket contrasted with the black overcoats worn by many politicians and other dignitaries as they remembered fallen soldiers with a two-minute silence. His poppy was only just visible.

However, he performed a respectful bow to the fallen and could clearly be seen singing the National Anthem.

Scores of viewers of the live coverage said they were ‘shocked’ at Mr Corbyn’s choice of coat, with one man claiming he looked as though he was ‘going fishing’.

By contrast, Princes William and Harry, as well as their father Prince Charles, were in full military uniform for the event in Whitehall. Others, including former prime ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, wore formal coats.

Mr Corbyn was widely criticised on social media.

LBC Radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer said 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 judgement.’

Ben Youngman added: ‘Nice to see that Jeremy Corbyn has turned up for Remembrance Day dressed as a scruffy geography teacher! Not even wearing a black jacket! At least he’s got a poppy on, I suppose.’

Tina Elliot said: ‘Scruffy and disrespectful Corbyn. It wouldn’t take much to wear smart attire on this special Remembrance Day. Why do you feel the need to Rain jacket: Jeremy Corbyn in his anorak at the Cenotaph yesterday. Left, Michael Foot wearing a ‘donkey jacket’ in 1981 stand out and be an embarrassment leader was criticised for wearing to our country?’ the mid-length coat when he laid

But others on social media a wreath at the Cenotaph. defended the Labour leader One of Mr Foot’s MPs said he

Michael Bowen said: ‘I don’t was ‘disgusted to see that the particularly like or support Jeremy leader of Her Majesty’s opposition Corbyn. I do support his looked more like an Irish right to wear a coat of his choice navvy than a party leader’. to such a ceremony. It was dark It later emerged that Mr Foot’s coloured, in no way disrespectful coat was not, in fact, a donkey or inappropriate. He was there.’ jacket because that garment would feature waterproof patches on the shoulders.

But the cut of the coat – particularly its collar and lapels – and Mr Foot’s decision to wear it unfastened gave the impression of informality. Mr Foot later said: ‘I never dreamt this was going to cause such trouble.’ And he insisted that the Queen Mother had indicated her approval of his ‘lovely warm coat’.

In 2007 a Radio 4 programme, Great Political Myths, reported that the coat was actually quite expensive and had been chosen by Mr Foot’s wife Jill to make him look elegant.

‘Like a geography teacher’

Stan Gray commented: ‘Not necessarily the biggest fan of Corbyn but attacking the bloke for wearing a hooded coat is a bit pathetic.’

Daniel Deery asked: ‘Can someone please explain what exactly was wrong about Corbyn’s coat. It looks perfectly smart to me.’

The criticism of Mr Corbyn was similar to that made of Michael Foot during the ‘donkey jacket’ row in 1981. The then Labour