Traditional anthems to be played at BBC Proms

Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia! will be performed at the Last Night Of The Proms, the BBC has said.

The confirmation comes after the Sunday Times said organisers feared a backlash because of the perceived association the traditional anthems have with colonialism and slavery.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed he had written to the BBC over the issue.

A statement from the BBC on Monday evening said: “With much reduced musical forces and no live audience, the Proms will curate a concert that includes familiar, patriotic elements such as Jerusalem and the national anthem, and bring in new moments capturing the mood of this unique time, including You’ll Never Walk Alone, presenting a poignant and inclusive event for 2020.”