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OTTAWA — Separatist Quebec Premier Pauline Marois has backed down from her attempt to put a Quebec spin on her Remembrance Day lapel poppy.

The premier's office confirms Marois will no longer pin the poppy to her lapel with Quebec's fleur-de-lys.

"The goal was not to offend anyone," spokeswoman Shirley Bishop said Friday. "On the contrary, Ms. Marois is very respectful of veterans and for all those who gave their lives for their country."

Marois mixed the fleur-de-lys with her poppy on Thursday.

That led to the Quebec branch of the Royal Canadian Legion complaining to Marois because veterans felt "insulted" by the improper display.

The legion's 62-page poppy manual states that attaching a poppy to a lapel with another pin — even a Canadian flag — is a faux pas because the poppy is the "sacred symbol of Remembrance and should not be defaced in any way."

— with files from Dominique La Haye