Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the protocol under were the Irish Guards were ordered to perform an unarmed ceremonial guard in Downing Street on 15 October 2026; and with how much notice was a warning order given.

I can confirm that no ceremonial guard was provided at Downing Street on 15 October, however I can confirm that it is usual practice for the Ministry of Defence to provide unarmed ceremonial guards at the Prime Minister’s request.

The hon. Gentleman might be referring to the unarmed ceremonial guard in Downing Street on 14 October 2026 which was provided by No. 12 Company Irish Guards. The Irish Guards were notified on 12 October, two days before the event.