Tower of London poppies: eBay bans re-sale of ceramic flowers

Online auctioneers confirmed they would remove any listings offering to sell poppies representing fallen Commonwealth soldiers

The online auction website eBay has confirmed that it will not resell any poppies from the Tower of London.

In an effort to prevent profiteers cashing in on the First World War memorial, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, the online giant confirmed that it would remove any listing offering one of the planned 888, 246 ceramic poppies.

The clay flowers – each representing a fallen Commonwealth soldier – were sold for £25 (plus £5.99 postage) with the money raised going towards six military charities.

One eBay seller reportedly advertised two poppies for £49.99 and £65 – more than double what they were originally sold for and charged £9.99 for postage.

The listing has now been removed and sellers warned any similar posts would also be taken down.

A spokesperson for the company said to the Daily Mail: “Our marketplace is not an appropriate venue for the limited edition ceramic poppies in view of the significance of each individual poppy as a memorial to an individual British military fatality.”

The Royal British Legion said it was “grateful” to eBay for taking the decision, in remarks to the Times.

The last flower is due to be place into the moat on Armistice Day, 11 November. Afterwards the installation, created by Paul Cummins, will be disassembled and each poppy will be sent to its new owner.

In the last week there has been mounting pressure to keep the exhibition past the planned date.

Leaders of the main political parties have all asked the Historic Royal Palaces to keep the poppy display open as millions flock to London to see the display in the final week.