**Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron have apologised after claims they used an Armistice Day service as a photo opportunity.**Officials at Westminster Abbey raised concerns that the leaders had failed to notify senior staff they were to be pictured in its Field of Remembrance.
Mr Cameron had hired a photographer, who pictured him inspecting tributes on crosses in the garden.
Later, Mr Brown was also pictured there. Neither visit was scheduled.
Both leaders had been attending a service to mark the passing of Britain’s last remaining World War I veterans.
Head of communications at the abbey, Duncan Jeffrey, told the BBC he had raised concerns with the leaders’ spokesmen.
Abbey staff could “do without distractions” on such an important day involving a live broadcast, he said.
‘No repeat’
A Conservative party spokesman said the decision to take photographs was made “at the last minute” and that permission was sought from officials at the Field of Remembrance.
“We apologised for any misunderstanding and have given assurances that it won’t happen again,” he said.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Following the service at the abbey that morning, the Prime Minister expressed a desire to visit the Field of Remembrance, as an appropriate way to recognise those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
“We apologised for any inconvenience caused by this late change of the programme.”