And he doesn’t appear to have broken any rules, even though most new members of the Privy Council do observe the tradition of kneeling.
Advertisement
Mr Corbyn was criticised last month for turning down his first chance to be sworn in.
However, it is not immediately clear how today’s ceremony played out.
Corbyn had initially indicated he would have to think about whether to take part in the ceremony, saying there were “some things that ought to change in our society and maybe that’s one of them”.
After he missed the last Privy Council meeting, reportedly going hiking in Scotland instead, there has been speculation about whether he would join but it seems Corbyn has managed to overcome his lifelong republican views.
And clearly, he has decided that as Leader of the Opposition there are certain uncomfortable rituals he has to put up with, such as showing deference to the Queen and becoming a Privy Council member.
An ITV journalist tweeted that before the event Corbyn had said he did “not expect to be kneeling at all”.
“I don’t expect to be kneeling at all, no”, he said. You will not know or understand of any manner of thing to be attempted, done or spoken against Her Majesty’s Person, Honour, Crown or Dignity Royal, but you will let and withstand the same to the uttermost of your power, and either cause it to be revealed to Her Majesty Herself, or to such of Her Privy Council as shall advertise Her Majesty of the same.
His first meeting will be held, as is the norm, behind closed doors.
Soon after being elected leader in September, he came under fire for not singing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain commemoration.
The Privy Council is one of the most ancient political bodies in the United Kingdom and formally advises the Monarch as she carries out duties as head of state. The Telegraph carried a Corbyn story but it was “too late for Corbyn to save his reputation” with Dan Hodges arguing joining the Privy Council could not make up for “months of incompetence”.
The body – the oldest form of legislative assembly still functioning in the United Kingdom – dates from the time of the Norman kings when the monarch met in private – hence the description Privy – with a group of trusted counsellors who fulfilled the role the cabinet performs today.
There is a total of more than 500 privy counsellors, but many are former ministers and hold the title formally.
Commons leader Chris Grayling is the Lord President of the Council.
Advertisement
Captured on camera being driven into Buckingham Palace to be sworn in as a member of the Privy Council, Jeremy Corbyn looked about as enthusiastic as if he was on his way to see his bank manager or his dentist.
