Cllr Noel Williams said: “As a former senior officer in the Royal Air Force, I am opposed to this proposal to ban the sale of poppies at Queen’s University.
“The poppy should not be politicised. It is about allowing people to make an act of remembrance for those who lost their lives in two world wars and in other conflicts.
“We will shortly be marking the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, and with many events taking place this year to commemorate those who fought and died in the Great War, students should be able remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It is important to remember that the poppy is a symbol of remembrance for those Servicemen and women who died to protect the freedom which we enjoy, including the freedom to pursue a university education.
“While I am opposed to this proposal, Queen’s Student Council are quite entitled to debate issues in a democratic manner, but I do hope that a sensible outcome will prevail.”
ENDS