Union flag flies over council HQ once again.

display: Faulty flagpole leads to delay in returning British national flag to High Street offices

A “missing” Union flag has been returned to its traditional home on top of Perth and Kinross Council’s city centre headquarters.

The British national flag seemingly disappeared when the local authority returned to its High Street office block in November last year, following more than £10 million of refurbishments.

It was the only one from a display of around 30 flags on the side of the building which was not returned.

Its notable absence even sparked theories that it had been deliberately removed by the then SNP administration.

But the council revealed the real reason was nothing more sinister than a faulty flagpole. The Union flag had simply been moved around the corner, overlooking Tay Street, making it invisible from the High Street end.

A council spokeswoman explained that while the building was shut for 18 months of reconstruction, all flags were taken down with the exception of the saltire.

The Scottish national flag was left in place so that it could be flown at half-mast, if required, during the construction phase.

When workers returned late last year to re-install the flags, the Union flag was one of the last to go up.

The local authority said it was moved to a new spot because of “access issues”, plus its traditional flag pole needed a full refurbishment.

After an absence of more than two years since work began, the pole has been restored and flag is back its rightful place.

National guidelines state that the Union flag and other national flags of Britain should be displayed in a “dignified manner” and should not be flown in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign.

Government buildings across the UK are encouraged to fly national flags every day of the year.

Picture: Kim Cessford. The Union flag back on display. For 18 months of reconstruction, all flags were taken down with the exception of the saltire.