Cenotaph wreath rules were changed to placate unionists, Blair-era files show

Archives reveal political manoeuvring to ensure DUP's inclusion in 2004 Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Tony Blair's government altered the rules on party leaders laying wreaths at the Cenotaph to keep unionists onboard with Northern Ireland's peace process, newly released files show.

The decision was taken in the run-up to the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in 2004 to change rules drawn up in 1984 that meant leaders of parties who won at least six seats at the previous general election could lay a wreath.