German president’s ‘invitation’ to Cenotaph

Downing Street fears that veterans may be angered by plan for Remembrance Sunday ceremony

DOWNING STREET is considering plans to invite Germany’s president to the Cenotaph to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, it has emerged.

Talks are reportedly under way for Frank-walter Steinmeier to join veterans and members of the Royal family on Remembrance Sunday in the spirit of “peace and reconciliation”.

But, according to documents seen by The Sun newspaper, government officials fears the invite could prompt anger from veterans associations.

Col Richard Kemp, who commanded British troops in Afghanistan, said last night that the German president should not be invited if it upset veterans.

“This requires careful consideration. The Cenotaph is a sacred place,” said Col Kemp. “No doubt some would be very unhappy that the Armistice Day guest of honour is a German government representative.

“One offended veteran is one too many on this hallowed day.”

But the Royal British Legion raised no immediate objections to the proposal last night. “This is an especially poignant year as we mark the end of the First World War centenary,” said a spokesman.

They added: “As a champion of Remembrance, the Royal British Legion promotes the message of reconciliation after conflict and hope for a peaceful future, and we encourage the nation to embrace these principles.”

To mark the end of the conflict, Mr Steinmeier is already set to be the only world leader expected to join the Queen at Westminster Abbey on November 11. He was invited in a bid to reflect the reconciliation between Germany and Britain.

But details of the fresh proposal to invite the German president to the Cenotaph came to light when newspaper photographer captured an image of planning documents as officials carried briefing papers into 10 Downing Street on Friday. The documents read: “I am aware advice has previously been submitted to No10 and a view taken that, on balance, German involvement should be focused to the Westminster Abbey service, given the Cenotaph is about remembering those affected by all wars/conflicts rather than just WW1.

“I would welcome a fresh look at this, especially an assessment of the potential concerns from veterans associations and the risk of negative press coverage.” Four years ago, a gesture to invite the German president to mark the moment Britain declared war was reportedly considered by officials, but dropped because it was judged “too difficult”.

In 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were dispatched to join the German president in Belgium, and the Queen led a candlelit vigil at Westminster Abbey.

It ended at 10pm on August 4 with lights extinguished across the country, evoking Sir Edward Grey, the wartime foreign secretary, who said on the eve of war: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”