The son of Pink Floyd star David Gilmour has admitted swinging from a Union Flag on the Cenotaph during the student protests in London on Thursday (December 9).

Charlie Gilmour, who could face police questioning, said he did not realise it was the Cenotaph.

In a statement, the 21-year-old Cambridge University student apologised for his actions and said he was “deeply ashamed”.

"I would like to express my deepest apologies for the terrible insult to the thousands of people who died bravely for our country that my actions represented,” he told the Independent.

"I feel nothing but shame. My intention was not to attack or defile the Cenotaph.”

He added that he had got “caught up in the moment”.

The protests on Thursday coincided with a Commons vote on the Government’s controversial changes to university tuition fees.