Deputy PM criticises Bristol Uni for not playing national anthem at graduations

The Deputy Prime Minister has hit out online at the University of Bristol, after realising the institution no longer plays the National Anthem as standard, at graduation ceremonies.

Commenting on an article published by the Mail Online today (December 8) Oliver Dowden, who is the MP for Hertsmere, has suggested the university may be ashamed of being British.

"If Bristol University are too ashamed of their British heritage, presumably they no longer want to be subsidised by British taxpayer?" He said.

The Mail Online article says the university has "axed" the National Anthem from its ceremonies, saying it's not been played since last year.

It quotes students as saying the Monarchy is "irrelevant" to them and "old-fashioned", but there are questions as to why the Mail has written the piece at all, as the university made its decision regarding the anthem three years ago, in 2020.

"The University routinely updates aspects of its Graduation ceremonies, which included the 2020 decision that the National Anthem would be played when representatives of the Royal Family, such as the Lord-Lieutenant, are in attendance," a spokesperson for the university told heat radio.

We have contacted the Mail Online for comment.

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• university of bristol