Nicola Sturgeon bans the Union Flag for Queen's birthday: SNP stops British flag flying on government buildings during Royal Family celebrations
Nicola Sturgeon was accused of snubbing the Queen last night in a move to ‘eradicate the Union Flag’ in Scotland.
The SNP government has ruled the banner should no longer be raised for the Queen’s birthday at dozens of public buildings.
It had been hoisted at key official and heritage sites 15 days a year to mark royal birthdays and anniversaries. But a proposed rule change will allow it to be used only once a year, on Remembrance Day.
The rainbow flag – the symbol of the gay community – will be flown for four days a year.
Officials wanting to hoist the Union banner were warned they would need First Minister Miss Sturgeon’s permission.
The decision, which she has ratified, was last night branded ‘churlish and stupid’.
Murdo Fraser, a Conservative MSP, said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon’s always keen to stress that her civic nationalism is nothing to do with flags and banners.
‘Yet here we have her trying to eradicate the Union Flag from government buildings in Scotland.
‘This is just another example of the SNP government pushing its separatist agenda by stealth.
'Refusing to fly the Union Flag on the Queen’s birthday is something that may well appeal to the extreme elements of the nationalist movement. But ordinary members of the public will be altogether less convinced.’
Patriotic officials wanting to fly the Union flag were warned they would need Nicola Sturgeon’s permission in advance. She is pictured in London on June 12
Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former Press secretary, said the Royal Family would take the decision in its stride.
But he added: ‘On a personal note I think it is churlish. I’m not sure it is anti-monarchy – it seems a swipe at Downing Street and at the Union rather than the monarchy as such. But I think it is a daft idea.’
The Union flag has previously been hoisted above many of Scotland’s best-known public buildings 15 days a year. Pictured: The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on March 23, 2017
Among the sites that will be affected by the new policy will be the High Courts of Edinburgh and Glasgow, offices of the Scottish Government and other quangos and 30 key historic sites including Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: ‘This is another sign the SNP government is interested only in representing the dwindling band of voters who share their obsession with independence and flags.
‘The people of Scotland voted to stay part of the UK – with its Union Jack flag and all – and it’s time Nicola Sturgeon finally came to terms with it rather than wasting her time on the dog-whistle politics of nationalism.’
The Scottish government sets a policy on the use of flags for its own offices as well as its executive agencies and associated departments.
Other public bodies, including quangos and councils, can choose whether to follow the guidance. Historic Environment Scotland said it follows the guidance for 30 of the protected buildings where it has flags.
The Scottish government pointed out that its previous policy allowed its main headquarters, St Andrews House in Edinburgh, to fly the Lion Rampant, which is the banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland, on key royal occasions rather than the Union flag – meaning the number of days the Union flag is flown there will not change.
A spokesman added: ‘The Union Flag will continue to be flown on Remembrance Sunday.’
Queen Elizabeth II Royals at Castle Rising Church, Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, on January 21, 2018
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