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British Library’s Remembrance blunder

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‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.’ It is a noble sentiment, long spoken every Remembrance Sunday at countless churches and memorials across the country. But sadly, not all of Britain’s leading public sector organisations are fulfilling that spirit this year. Among the worst offers is Police Scotland, which managed to not only fail to mark the occasion on its Twitter account yesterday, but actually posted a reminder about a Sikh holiday at the fateful hour of 11 a.m. So much for Remembrance…

Now Mr S can bring news of another blunder. The British Library – that bastion of education and enlightenment – managed to mark the occasion yesterday by getting the time of the two-minute silence completely wrong. Attendees at the Agatha Christie exhibition were bemused that the occasion of 11 a.m came and went without reminder on Sunday. But then at 11:42 there blasted over the tannoy an announcement that the Library would shortly be marking the ceremony. At 11:57, perplexed visitors were told ‘the two minute-silence begins now’ which was followed at 11:59 by a further declaration saying ‘thank you for observing the two-minute silence.’

This case does not need Poirot to solve as it is likely to be more cock up than conspiracy. But talk about committing a criminal offence, eh?

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

This article originally appeared in the UK edition

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