Jeremy Corbyn has raised the prospect that he would push for a change to the ceremony in which the Queen makes him a privy counsellor after he was told he would have to bend his knee to the monarch.
Corbyn, a republican, balked at the prospect when he was informed that kneeling was part of the process, saying he was unfamiliar with the protocol and would have to discuss the best response with his advisers.
In a BBC interview, Corbyn, who was elected as Labour leader on Saturday with a landslide 59.5% of the vote, said he had not been invited to join the privy council, a largely ceremonial body of advisers to the Queen, contrary to a Downing Street statement released on Monday.
The tangled interview came after Corbyn had faced criticism for not singing God Save the Queen at a Battle of Britain memorial, prompting questions from some over his patriotism. Labour sources later said he would sing the national anthem at future events.
Asked by the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, about his role on the privy council, Corbyn said: “I haven’t yet been invited to join the privy council.”
Told that Downing Street had issued a statement confirming his appointment, he replied: “They have but I haven’t seen any letters. I’m looking forward to seeing the letter and finding out what’s involved.”
Pressed on whether he would join the body, Corbyn said: “If it goes with the job, yes. But I’m not sure it does.”
Kuenssberg elaborated on the procedure and the custom of kneeling before the Queen. “I didn’t know that was involved actually so we’ll have to find out about it, OK?” Corbyn said.
The Labour leader then suggested he did not support the system. “Well of course I’ll end up being a member of the privy council if that’s what the requirement of the job is. I think there are some things that ought to change in our society and maybe that’s one of them.”
He said it was the first time he had heard about kneeling, adding that he would have to think about the issue and discuss it with colleagues.
Membership of the privy council is granted to the leader of the opposition to allow them to receive secret briefings from the security services.
They take a solemn oath not to reveal the information they are given.
The day-to-day business of the body involves issues such as the siting of graveyards and university charters, and usually only involves ministers.
While MPs have to swear or affirm allegiance to the Queen, the oath required of privy council members is much fuller.
The current wording, which has been around since Tudor times, states: “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.
“You will in all things to be moved, treated and debated in council, faithfully and truly declare your mind and opinion, according to your heart and conscience; and will keep secret all matters committed and revealed unto you, or that shall be treated of secretly in council.”
Corbyn faced criticism from members of his own party for his apparent refusal to join Cameron and other guests singing the national anthem at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Admiral Lord West, a former Labour security minister, said the decision not to sing the anthem was extraordinary and would have offended a large number of people, including military personnel.
Kate Green, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said not singing the anthem would have “offended and hurt people”.
