Parliamentary officials have confirmed that Jeremy Corbyn did not breach protocol by remaining upright while Theresa May bowed in front of the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords.
A Lords’ spokesman said the only people required to bow were House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Commons Clerk David Natzler, senior Lords official Black Rod and the Serjeant at Arms Kamal El-Hajji.
After Theresa May joined them in bowing, Mr Corbyn was accused on social media of snubbing the monarch ahead of the Queen’s Speech.
Hmm, @wikiguido, just looked at 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 Queen's Speeches; no bowing from either leader. 2013 the exception.
— Damian McBride (@DPMcBride) June 21, 2017
But the Lords spokesman confirmed that the Labour leader followed protocol, as did Mrs May’s most senior minister Damian Green, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron.
Labour adviser Damian McBride waded into the “bow row” on Twitter, posting a video showing then-opposition leader David Cameron remaining erect at 2009’s Queen’s Speech.
He also posted a video showing Mrs May standing upright while serving as home secretary at the 2012 State Opening.
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