NEW FLAG FURY
Rebels say replacement is too similar to controversial emblem
A CIVIL war at Scotland’s biggest country and western club has intensified after a new banner was designed to replace the banned Confederate flag.
Critics claim the new flag for the Grand Ole Opry in Glasgow, which was posted on its Facebook page, is a crude blue replacement of the “racist” Confederate flag, which was banned in November after a vote.
A row raged in the club after the flag – used in club ceremonies – became associated with extreme racist groups in the US. It was hoped the ban would put the issue to bed.
But tensions arose this month after a coup at the club, which saw the resignation of the old committee, that had made the moves to ban the old flag.
An interim committee was appointed from a new faction that has put forward a new design.
The proposed flag is inspired by a blue and white Scottish saltire but keeps the 13 stars representing the southern states that supported slavery during the American Civil War. It also includes the initials of club founder Alex Fleming.
One club member said: “The committee was forced to resign and the next thing there was a Scottish version of the Confederate flag being circulated. It’s meant to be a compromise but it’s just a Confederate flag in blue and white.
“The club is in a mess because of this bloody flag and the way dinosaurs have been unable to let it go.”
Fionna Downie, spokeswoman for interim controlling Democracy and Respect Group, said: “I’m sure if there is any suggestion of it harping back to the Confederacy, it will be rejected or modified to ensure the issue of racism is not revived again by those who seek to deflect the justified criticism of the ex-committee who walked before they were voted out.”