Barriers put in place around Cenotaph ahead of Remembrance
Security barriers have been assembled around the Cenotaph in central London ahead of Remembrance commemorations in November.
It comes after protestors earlier this month put a covered platform alongside the national memorial in Whitehall during a march, generating significant backlash.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said he recognised "the hurt" that the platform caused in the veteran community and across the country.
The Cenotaph, a national memorial in the UK to the fallen, is the focal point for the country's annual Remembrance commemorations and has been for more than 100 years.
"I recognise the hurt this has caused in the veteran community and across the country," Mr Mercer said after the platform was erected by the Cenotaph.
"I have spoken to the Home Secretary and the Met Police about it, ensuring we all work together to avoid situations like this happening again."
Speaking to Sky News, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said the area on Whitehall is "sacred ground" and the stage should not have been put up for Palestine Solidarity Campaign speakers, adding: "It's disgraceful. To many of us, the Cenotaph is sacred ground.
"There's a reason it matters so much to our national consciousness."
Westminster City Council said it did not give permission for the platform to be put up on Saturday 14 October.
It is not unusual for barriers to be put in place to protect the monument.
In 2020, scaffolders worked through the night in central London to board up and protect the Cenotaph, with fears that planned anti-racism demonstrations could potentially lead to a risk of violence with far-right groups planning counter-demos.
On Thursday morning, the Cenotaph was also pictured being cleaned as the UK gets ready to honour the sacrifice of the Armed Forces community.
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