Nandy rejects claims of politicising Remembrance Sunday after Erasmus row

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has rejected accusations of politicising Remembrance Sunday after being criticised for linking the event to the UK rejoining the European Union's Erasmus scheme. Her department announced on Saturday night that "as we mark Remembrance Sunday, Erasmus+ will give a new generation the chance to build connections across Europe".

That sparked a backlash from the Conservatives who said "veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme" and accused her of making an "EU membership pitch". Nandy said she was "horrified" by the Tory response and insisted the expanded EU scheme for study and work would help young Britons recognise wartime sacrifice.

On Saturday, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport drew comparisons between that scheme and events on Sunday to commemorate veterans. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake described her comments as "tone deaf and frankly shameful" and called on Nandy to apologise.