McDonnell will not be forced to kneel for Queen

JOHN MCDONNELL will not have to kneel for the Queen when he is sworn as a member of the Privy Council.

The Left-wing shadow chancellor will join the centuries-old advisory body in a fortnight to allow him to be briefed on state secrets.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was criticised for turning down his first opportunity to be sworn in as a Privy Counsellor last October when he preferred to go on holiday in Scotland.

He eventually followed tradition and kissed the Queen’s hand, but specifically was allowed not to kneel when he was sworn in a month later.

Friends made clear that Mr McDonnell would adopt a “pragmatic approach” to the ceremony and kneel before the Queen if asked.

However, they said this was unlikely. One said: “You don’t actually have to kneel, but John is pragmatic – he will just do whatever is asked of him. These things don’t bother him.”

Earlier this year, it emerged that Mr McDonnell had “joked” that he wanted to see the public execution of members of the Royal family – represented by papier-mâché models.

Mr McDonnell can be heard on a YouTube clip describing such action as “a useful form of street entertainment which might have balanced out the coverage of the Royal wedding”.

A spokesman for Mr McDonnell said: “There is no specific ceremonial requirements we have been informed of, but as John has already said when inquiries were made earlier in the year, he will adhere to any procedures asked of him.”

David Rogers, an authority on the Privy Council, said: “The Queen has better things to think about than the shadow chancellor’s opinions on court behaviour. In 2016 my view is that she won’t worry if he kneels or not.”

As part of the ceremony Mr McDonnell will swear “by Almighty God to be to be a true and faithful servant unto the Queen’s majesty as one of Her Majesty’s Privy Council”.

He will also swear to behave “as a faithful and true servant ought to do to her Majesty”.