The Member of Parliament for West Dorset, Chris Loder, removed the Extinction Rebellion protest wreath depicting the words “climate change means war”, from the Cenotaph on Whitehall yesterday evening (11Nov).
The MP, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph yesterday morning on behalf of his constituents who were restricted from attending Whitehall over the last few days, said: “There are many ways to protest and it is one of the freedoms we enjoy in this country. But Armistice Day, the anniversary of peace, when we remember those who died for our freedom, is not the day to do it.”
“I could not stand by and watch our Remembrance Day for those who died in war, and to whom we owe so much, be hijacked for a political stunt by this far-left outfit. This was totally wrong, and I believed the wreath should be removed.”
This year is the centenary of the Cenotaph, built from Dorset stone, which stands as the lasting memorial to those who sacrificed their lives in war.
Mr Loder concluded: ‘This week, thousands of veterans and members of the armed forces have stayed away from the Cenotaph in our national effort to control coronavirus. For political protestors to take advantage of this situation is disrespectful to our servicemen and women, past and present. I want them to know that I am on their side and will support them all the way”.
