Evening Standard/London

Labour was yesterday defending Ed Miliband after he faced a barrage of criticism for a “disrespectful” message posted on a wreath commemorating the First World War centenary.
A picture of the note left by the Labour leader, which read simply “From the leader of the Opposition” was circulated online after this morning’s ceremony at Glasgow Cathedral.
Miliband’s effort was contrasted with a handwritten, personally signed note from prime minister David Cameron, which read: “Your most enduring legacy is our liberty. We must never forget.”
But Labour sources said that, unlike in the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, Miliband was not given time to write his own note after being handed the wreath by organisers.
A spokesman added: “Ed Miliband was not given the opportunity to write a personal message on the wreath and was only handed it seconds before he had to lay it.”
Twitter users had accused the Labour leader of not being “bothered” about signing the wreath and being “insensitive” to those who lost their lives in the First World War.
Former Tory MP Louise Mensch tweeted: “I am stunned by Ed Miliband’s WWI centenary wreath message, which is arrogant, disrespectful and just plain rude.”
But it later emerged that other politicians had left similar notes, written in the same handwriting as Miliband’s.
Nick Clegg’s read simply: “From the deputy prime minister,” and was also unsigned, as were several other messages left at the commemorative service.
It is not clear how Cameron was able to personally sign his note.
The row came as the three party leaders joined Scottish first minister Alex Salmond Scottish labour leader Johann Lamont, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, at the service in Glasgow.
The service, which was also attended by Prince Charles, featured poems, prayers and readings, reflecting the contribution of those from around the Commonwealth.
Scotland Yard yesterday paid tribute to the sacrifices of thousands of officers who kept London safe during the First World War.
Services are to be held by officers across the capital to honour hundreds of fallen police comrades who served the war effort.
More than 4,000 officers were either re-called or volunteered for the military during the conflict, while the remaining 18,000 served as London’s first line in defence.
Some 360 officers were killed in action while 337 medals, including The Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the Military Cross (MC) and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) were awarded to Met officers for their gallantry.
The force today opened its archived accounts to show not only the vital role played by thousands of officers overseas, but in the protection of London and the country.
Deputy commissioner Craig Mackey said: “The Metropolitan Police is proud and honoured to remember all those who fell during the First World War, including a number of police officers.
 “Their sacrifice helped to shape the world we inherited from them and the freedoms we so often take for granted. We are forever in their debt”.
The Met’s first major contribution came within 12 hours of war being declared on August 4, with officers arresting 500 German secret agents and shattering the enemy’s espionage system in Britain.
Special branch had been monitoring and mapping many of the secret agents since 1913.
More than 1,200 retired officers were brought back into service and others were stopped from retiring because of thousands of officers being sent to the front line, while 24,000 more special constables were recruited.
Police were tasked with defending London from air raids by German bombers and were responsible for policing His Majesty George V’s dockyards around the country, including security, prevention of espionage and preventing loss from HM stores.
They also policed recruiting stations and factories making uniform and munitions.
Prime minister Lloyd George requested uniformed female officers from the Women’s Police Service supervise women munitions workers in 1915.
Officers’ families suffered financial hardship, while many widows to officers killed in action and their children were left in poverty. Colleagues still working in London agreed to a hardship fund to support them.
The services today follow a police memorial ceremony held in June at the Memorial Garden, Peel Centre in Hendon, where Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe led tributes.