MSPS set to vote to keep the EU flag flying over Holyrood after Brexit

The EU flag is set to continue flying over Holyrood, with MSPS expected to overturn a decision by parliamentary bosses to haul it down after Brexit. But the change of plan prompted claims that the Scottish Government is more focused on “playing to the gallery” on constitutional issues than on schools and hospitals.

The controversial decision to stop flying the flag on Friday, when the UK leaves the EU, was made a fortnight ago by Holyrood’s corporate body. But it prompted a backlash from the Scottish Government,

which has been pushing for a rethink.

A vote will be staged after a debate on the issue at Holyrood today on a motion brought by the Scottish Government, which would see the European flag continuing to fly. It appears the SNP and Greens will have a majority at Holyrood to ensure it happens.

An attempt by opposition parties to thwart today’s vote was voted down by the SNP and Greens last night.

Business minister Graeme Dey said the Scottish Government had brought forward

the motion with a “heavy heart” after efforts over the past two weeks to reach a compromise with Holyrood chiefs.

The corporate body held a second vote on the issue last week which upheld its original decision.

Mr Dey said: “On Friday ... I wrote to the corporate body suggesting a compromise, which would have seen the European flag stay up through transition (until the end of the year) with the corporate body able to review its policy on flags over that period. Unfortunately they could not agree to revising their decision.”

Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh chairs the Scottish Parliament corporate body (SPCB) and defended its decision in a letter to the government. “The SPCB’S decision-making is neither politically motivated nor reflective of any partial viewpoint,” he stated.

Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said the SNP was revealing its “true priorities” by forcing debates in Holyrood this week on flags and independence.

“Valuable time in the Scottish Parliament should be used to address the very severe problems in our hospitals or the crisis engulfing our education system,” he said.