David Lammy appeared to have forgotten to wear a poppy for Remembrance.

The Deputy Prime Minister was forced to borrow one from Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson.

He started PMQs without a poppy on his lapel, but appeared to have been handed one to display partway through.

Mr Lammy later appeared to explain why he did not have a poppy as he told the Commons he had bought a new suit for his first appearance deputising for PMQs.

He thanked Bridget Phillipson, crediting her as the MP for Sunderland South for having leant him one.

He told the Commons: “I bought a new suit this morning because my Godmother said she would be watching.

“I am very grateful to the honourable member for Sunderland South for ensuring that despite wearing a new suit I have managed to put my poppy on.”

Mr Lammy had opened Prime Minister’s Questions by paying tribute to those who had fought “to defend our freedom”.

Mr Lammy told the Commons: “This weekend is Remembrance Sunday.

“We will never forget those who fought to defend our freedom.

“It’s been one of the greatest honours of my career to meet our troops around the world, whether in Cyprus, the Gulf or Australia.

“This week, the Government announced the biggest renewal of armed forces housing in more than 50 years, kickstarting one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades.”

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Mr Lammy continued: “We wear a poppy to remember all those who fought and died for this country.

“They represented every walk of life, every race and every religion.”

In a post on social media, Conservative chair Kevin Hollinrake said: “A disgrace that David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister of this nation and standing in for the Prime Minister at PMQs, is not wearing a poppy.”

Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice added: “Deputy Prime Minister fails to wear poppy whilst remembering our brave veterans and the fallen.”

It was a historic day in the Commons as Mr Lammy became the first black politician to lead Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Deputy Prime Minister was standing in for Sir Keir Starmer at the weekly session in the Commons, while the Prime Minister attends Cop30 in Brazil.

His appearance on Wednesday was described as a “landmark” moment.

Mr Lammy said it was important to recognise the progress made, as he paid tribute to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Mother of the House Diane Abbott as “trailblazers.”

Speaking in the chamber, Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West Connor Rand congratulated Mr Lammy “on being the first black person to ever answer Prime Minister’s Questions.”

“A landmark moment for this place in our country and I hope he is proud” he added.

Mr Lammy replied: “It’s very kind of the honourable gentleman (Mr Rand) to say that, and I’m conscious that my right honourable friend the member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott), and indeed, the leader of the Opposition (Mrs Badenoch), are both trailblazers who have stood at this despatch box.

“And it’s important to recognise the progress that we’ve…made, particularly in the wake of Black History Month.”