David Cameron will wear a poppy this week for the launch of the Royal British Legion campaign, in a move that may trigger a row with China.
Downing Street insisted yesterday that the prime minister would take part in the “usual” proceedings before Remembrance Sunday, despite his engagements with President Xi.
When Mr Cameron visited China, officials in Beijing asked the prime minister and his team to remove their poppies, which some in the country see as an offensive reminder of the Opium Wars fought in the 19th century. The British delegation refused.
“He’s not going to be swayed by the Chinese president being in town,” the prime minister’s official spokeswoman said.“He will follow the usual process he does when he purchases his poppy.”
As the Poppy Appeal campaign launches on the steps of No 10 on Thursday, the penultimate day of the Chinese state visit, Mr Cameron is expected to buy one for his lapel.