Watch the video

The Army has launched an inquiry today to find the ceremonial Foot Guard who was filmed making an obscene gesture while on duty outside Buckingham Palace.

The soldier was videoed making the hand gesture by one of the thousands who gather outside the Palace gates to watch the iconic soldiers in their red tunics and bearskin hats.

Rather than standing perfectly still while enthusiastic tourists attempt to distract them, this guard was captured shaking his head and making a well-known hand shuffling gesture at one of his colleagues. The footage can now be seen on YouTube.

Some of those who viewed the video suggested the soldier had done nothing wrong and was simply employing an Army hand signal, but a Ministry of Defence spokesman has ruled out any such excuse.

“They are referring to a field signal for when you’re on military manoeuvres. It means come here or speed up, but it could not have been used in this situation,” the spokesman said. “We’re identifying the individual. This behaviour is unacceptable.”

It is thought the soldier will face serious disciplinary action from Army bosses once they have identified the culprit.

The Foot Guards, who serve on sentry duty outside the Queen’s official residence, are from a group of regiments in the Household Division of the British Army.

The soldiers, renowned for their ability to stand to attention without moving, have become one of London’s most famous attractions. Hundreds of tourists assemble at 11am to watch the changing of the guard when one set soldiers ceremonially replaces another.

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