Poppies must be worn, says BBC

BBC Northern Ireland is ordering presenters appearing on television to wear poppies during this year's Remembrance Day commemorations…

BBC Northern Ireland is ordering presenters appearing on television to wear poppies during this year's Remembrance Day commemorations. Journalists who refuse to do so will be given "off screen duties", writes Suzanne Breen, in Belfast.

The BBC has adopted the new policy following protests from viewers last year at the decision of a newsreader, Ms Donna Trainor, not to wear the emblem on screen.

Ms Trainor said at the time that she had decided not to wear either the poppy or the shamrock on St Patrick's Day as they were seen as symbols of division in Northern Ireland.

Hundreds of people protested to the BBC and many wrote letters to newspapers. A large number said that they would never watch BBC television again.