THE UK Independence Party has apologised after one of their members laid a Remembrance Day wreath saying the servicemen had died in vain.

The wreath, bearing the party’s logo, was placed at Bournemouth Cenotaph on Sunday.

It said: “To all those who died in vain. They fought for our country’s freedom, but Parliament has surrendered the freedoms of all of us to the EU.”

The service was attended by elected councillors from all parties and is treated as a non-political event.

However, the UKIP activist also made a brief demonstration with a placard and shouted out comments after the parade had left.

Cllr Nicola Greene, Conservative, Wallisdown and Winton West, and Cllr David Kelsey, Conservative, Springbourne, wrote to the Echo: “We were appalled by the decision to lay the wreath.

“Leaving aide the question of misjudging the sentiment of the occasion, it seems to miss the central point – these servicemen and women died in order to protect our freedom, and this protestor has chosen to exercise that freedom to denigrate their sacrifice.”

A national UKIP spokesman said: “It’s not something that’s come from the national party. It’s been the person’s decision. You need to bring it up with them.”

When asked if it was the right thing to do the spokesman said: “I can’t comment on that. I am not sure of their motivations.”

David Hughes, chairman of Bournemouth east UKIP, said neither he nor the committee members knew anything about the note.

“It had no official sanction from the party so we distance ourselves from that remark. I admit it is inappropriate to make a political statement during an event like that. I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week signed up to the Libson Treaty on reforms to EU powers.

See all our Poppy Day stories and pictures here.