UK: Tower of London poppies artist Paul Cummins 'received death threats'

The artist who created the Tower of London poppy exhibition received death threats, it has been revealed.

The installation titled Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red comprised 888,246 ceramic poppies which were "planted" in the moat. Each poppy represented one British or colonial military death during World War One.

The evocative display culminated on Armistice Day when the final poppy was planted by 13-year old cadet Harry Hayes from Berkshire. A 21-gun salute followed after which a two-minute silence was observed.

The following day a team of 8,000 volunteers removed the poppies and sent them to the 888,246 people who bought them for £25 each.

The net proceeds and an additional 10% of every sale totalled £10m which was shared between Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, Cobseo, Coming Home and SSAFA.

In an interview with The Times Paul Cummins said he received threats by email, phone and letter over plans for services charities to benefit from the £10m raised.

The Derbyshire artist said he believed it was because some people thought the charities were "involved in war."

Mr Cummins said: "The threats came, I suppose, because they felt that the money was going to charities which in some way were involved in war."

Police were informed of the threats.

The display was also targetted by thieves attempting to steal the poppies as they were being removed to be delivered to all the people who have purchased them.

It is thought about five million people visited Blood-Swept Lands and Seas of Red, the title of which was inspired by a line from the will of a Derbyshire serviceman who died in Flanders.

Mr Cummins, who was made an MBE in the new years honours list for his role making the ceramic poppies for the installation, is now working on a British-based project involving ceramic tulips.