British MP Doesn't Want WWI Commemorations To Be 'Anti-German Festival'

Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War

Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, warned against upsetting the Germans after historians accused the Government of being reluctant to recognise Britain's victory in the 1914 to 1918 conflict.

Ministers have been criticised for refusing to comment on the causes of the war and trying to make sure memorial events are not too triumphalist or patriotic.

However, Mr Pickles defended this strategy, arguing it would be terrible for the events to cause tensions between European countries.

"It would be a tremendous tragedy if this just became an anti-German, anti-Turkish festival," he said.