Soldiers told to downplay religious aspect of Remembrance

The Army is telling UK soldiers that acts of remembrance on Armistice Day should be ‘agnostic of religious elements and separated from Remembrance Services’, according to a leaked policy document.

The 2022 document, Policy, Guidance and Instructions on Inclusive Behaviours, seen by The Telegraph, reportedly states: ‘Acts of remembrance, and others, should be inclusive and seek to avoid being conducted as a wholly religious event’ – and suggests religious services could be held afterwards.

Publication of the document prompted a scathing open letter from retired senior military personnel to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. They expressed anger and called for ‘root and branch removal’, writing: ‘We feel compelled to write to you with a sense of sadness, incredulity and anger having viewed astonishing evidence of the depth and pervasiveness of the racist and intolerant ‘Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity’ ideology being pushed within HM Armed Forces.