Row rages on after UTV ban poppies

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday November 03, 2004 13:40 by jarlath

The Royal British Legion today branded a decision by UTV to ban on-screen presenters from wearing poppies until this Sunday as very disappointing.

The Northern Ireland branch of the association also rejected a statement from UTV claiming its poppy day policy is "in line with British Legion advice".

Bill Craig, Royal British Legion Regional Organiser for Northern Ireland, said the organisation here issued "no such advice" and added: "Poppies can be worn 365 days-a-year and have been available to the public since October 30."

Members of staff at UTV have been told by bosses that they are not to wear the Remembrance Day flower until Sunday, November 7. They will then be allowed to display the poppy until Remembrance Sunday.

It was reported that presenters, such as Lynda Bryans and Letitia Gwynne, were ordered to remove their poppies this week before going on air. This is in contrast to BBC presenters, who have been wearing the emblem on screen this week.

Defending its decision, a UTV spokesperson said: "Poppies may be worn by our onscreen presenters from Sunday, November 7 until Remembrance Sunday. This is in line with British Legion advice and has been our policy for the past number of years. It takes account of the different attitudes in our community towards Remembrance poppies and we respect the decision of our onscreen presenters to wear or not to wear a Remembrance poppy."

Mr Craig, however, said the decision was flawed and the Royal British Legion here had issued no such advice to UTV.

"Poppies have been available since October 30 and they can be worn 365 days of the year.

"We certainly didn't issue any advice to UTV about the wearing of poppies and I wouldn't have given that advice. If it's UTV policy then its UTV policy alone and I won't interfere with that.

"But I am very disappointed with this decision as every other news station or agency I have seen is allowing their presenters to wear them."

DUP MLA, Ian Paisley Jnr said UTV was adding "insult to injury" by imposing the ban.

"It is such a very poor example from Ulster television. It is insulting and I'm sure most people will be extremely disappointed with its attitude.

"It's meant to be, quote, 'Your TV', but it's letting everyone down.

"The decision insults the memory of those who died and diminishes the Remembrance period.

"UTV's excuse is pretty pathetic - they are trying to correct something that doesn't need correcting."

A spokeswoman for the Royal British Legion headquarters in London said they were also unaware of any advice being issued to UTV in respect of the wearing of poppies.