NEWLY elected British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has hit headlines for refusing to sing God Save the Queen at a service in London yesterday.
Corbyn joined Prime Minister David Cameron and a host of other leading political figures at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday for a service of remembrance for the Battle of Britain.
But cameras were flashing when the British national anthem came on, showing Corbyn remaining silent during the song.
He has been labelled “dishonourable” and “disloyal” for his actions – but he is certainly not the first person to snub the British.
We take a look at some of the most memorable snubs below…
1. Martin McGuinness & The Queen
Martin McGuinness greets the Queen in Belfast. Picture: Getty ImagesIn 2011, Queen Elizabeth undertook what was regarded as a widely successful state visit to Ireland. It was the first time since Irish Independence that a monarch visited the Republic.
Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness believed the visit was “premature” and refused to accept invitations to attend the events alongside the Queen.
But despite this, a year later McGuinness and the Queen shared a historic handshake in Belfast.
2. James McClean and the anthem
James McClean. Picture: GettyIrish soccer player James McClean ruffled a few feathers this year for his actions before a pre-season friendly between his team, West Bromwich Albion, and American club Charleston Battery.
As per tradition, the West Brom players wore a poppy on their kit in the run-up to Remembrance Day – and on the night of the game, God Save the Queen was played for the English team.
But McClean was the only player who not only did not sing the anthem, he also turned away from the Cross of St George.
3. Countess Markievicz makes a stand
Countess Markievicz (right) Picture: Getty ImagesDuring the Easter Rising, Irish republican Countess Markievicz became one of the heroes of the War of Independence.
She was a prominent figure for Irish women and a pioneer of the suffragette movement.
Eventually entering politics, Markievicz was elected as one of more than 70 Sinn Féin MPs – and was the first woman ever to be elected to the House of Commons in Britain.
But, like her party colleagues, Markievicz refused to take her seat in a British Government.
4. Bad boy Francis Bacon and the OBE
Francis Bacon. Picture: Getty ImagesThe actual nationality of prominent artist Francis Bacon has long been a bone of contention.
Born in Ireland and raised in Britain, he has been claimed by both countries – but it appears he knew where his loyalties were.
As his career flourished, Bacon grew in popularity and the honours came pouring in.
But when he was offered an OBE, he declined, saying the royal awards were “so ageing”.
5. Wayne Rooney asserts his Englishness
Wayne Rooney. Picture: Getty ImagesSometimes, the British snub the Irish too, though.
Manchester United star striker Wayne Rooney caused heads to turn in Ireland earlier this year when he insisted that playing for Ireland was “never something he thought about”.
The England captain has Irish grandparents and would be eligible for the Republic of Ireland’s soccer team.
But ahead of England’s friendly clash in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium this summer, he said: “I am playing for England and I want to help England win.”
He went on to say that while he had been asked to play for Ireland, he held firm in his belief: “I was born in England, I'm English.”
6. Martin Johnson forgets his manners
Martin Johnson refused to move his team. Picture: Getty ImagesEnglish rugby captain Martin Johnson was not a popular man in Ireland when he snubbed much-loved Irish president Mary McAleese before a Six Nations clash in Dublin.
He lined his team up on the Irish side of the red carpet walkway for the presidential greet before the game and refused to move.
Miffed, the Irish team lined up further down the field on the correct side – but Ms McAleese was forced to get her shoes muddy and walk along the grass pitch to greet the players and wish them luck.
RTÉ rugby pundit Tom McGurk described the move as “s**ting on somebody else’s doorstep”.
