Veterans have been told NOT to wear their medals on the way to Remembrance Day services across the country.
As many as 2,000 officers will be present on Armistice Day tomorrow to police the event and have said they will arrest anyone “believed to be part of, or associated with, the pro-Palestinian demonstration trying to assemble in this area can be arrested”.
The Cenotaph will also be protected by a round-the-clock police guard.
However, laying bare the horrifying reality of Britain ahead of Armistice Day, Colonel Richard Kemp said many veterans are being warned not to wear medals.
He told GB News: “I’m in touch with some veterans, but I’ve been out of the country for four weeks,” said Colonel Kemp.
“There’s clearly a great deal of discontent, not only about the potential for clashes with Remembrance events but also about intimidation we have seen of poppy sellers by pro-Palestinian, pro-Hamas supporters.
“So that is clearly something that they are disgusted by.
“Many veterans including myself know a large number of our comrades who fell in battle.
“Among the veteran community as well as among the families of the deceased I think feelings are particularly strong that these events should
not be interfered with.”
When questioned about security concerns for veterans heading to the Cenotaph, Colonel Kemp added: “I think sensible security measures are a wise thing to do providing it doesn’t prevent veterans or anyone else wanting to pay their respects on Armistice or Remembrance Day.
“But what I have heard which is very disturbing is advice being given by at least some regimental headquarters to their veterans who are planning to take part in Armistice Day events and Remembrance Sunday events, not to wear their medals, not to wear their regimental regalia or insignia on the way there.
“Put them on but don’t do anything to identify yourself before you go which is to my mind, if true, if the reason for it is because of pro-Hamas protesters then I think that’s a really sad indictment on the state of this country today.”