Why doesn’t ITV News presenter Charlene White wear a poppy?

I’ve received a few emails in the last few days asking why doesn’t Charlene White, ITV News presenter, wear a poppy?

Well, a few days ago, Charlene posted an article on the ITV News website explaining why she doesn’t wear a poppy.

Charlene said: “I support and am patron of a number of charities, and due to impartiality rules, I am not allowed to visually support them all whilst presenting news programmes.

“That includes things like a red ribbon for World Aids Day, or a purple band for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

“Both these and many more charities do great things in the UK, but I’m not allowed to give them exposure on screen.

“So I feel uncomfortable supporting just one charity above all others, namely The Royal British Legion, but I fully support my colleagues who do choose to wear the poppy on screen.

“In my private life, it’s very different.

“I wear a poppy on Armistice Day, in fact I wear one that my friend’s mum knitted for me a few years ago.

“And I’ve also bought one of those incredible ceramic poppies which can currently be seen at the Tower Of London.

“And every year I donate to the British Legion. Money which the charity desperately needs for the work that they do to support serving and ex-service men and women and their families.

“So please don’t think that I don’t support the work that our service personnel do, or that I don’t understand the sacrifices made by servicemen and women 100 years ago. I do.

“I come from a Forces family. My Dad served in the RAF, and my uncle served in the Army.

“I spoke to them both six years ago when I first decided not to wear a poppy, and they both support my decision.”

You can see the full article on the ITV News Website