PM defends Union Jack in Scots row

THERESA May defended the Union Jack as a symbol of national unity last night after it emerged the flag would be raised only once a year on public buildings in Scotland.

The flag has traditionally been hoisted at key official and heritage sites 15 days a year to mark royal birthdays and anniversaries.

However, proposed guidance will allow it to be used only once a year, on Remembrance Day.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday faced calls to allow it to be flown again on the Queen’s birthday after being accused of snubbing the monarch.

But Miss Sturgeon said the guidance had merely been updated to reflect long-standing practice.

She tweeted: ‘It has been the practice to fly the Lion Rampant [the royal banner of Scotland] from government buildings on royal occasions since 2010. There has been no change in policy or practice since then.’

Her predecessor Alex Salmond broke royal protocol yesterday to reveal he had agreed the rule change with the Queen in 2009.

A senior Downing Street source said: ‘It is up to the Scottish Executive to explain the reasons for the decision they have taken. But the Prime Minister was clear that the flag itself is a symbol of our commitment to the United Kingdom.’

The Scottish Tories said Miss Sturgeon should simply intervene to change the rules back.