'Fly Saltire higher - or army has to go'

Published on Wednesday 8 August 2007 01:25

IT BEGAN as a rallying call for patriotism and escalated into a fight for Scottish freedom. Now the battle over whether the Saltire should fly higher than the Union flag has breached the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.

When Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, called for the Union flag to fly at every public building in the land, eyebrows were raised north of the Border.

While Westminster conceded that Scottish ministers could decide which flag flew outside Executive buildings, it was thought that, as the castle is a British army headquarters, it was up to the Queen to dictate flag-flying policy.

But now one of the most vocal opponents of the Prime Minister's flags policy, the SNP MSP Christine Grahame, claims she has discovered that ownership of Edinburgh and Stirling castles transferred to Historic Scotland at devolution, making the Scottish Executive responsible for the flagstaffs.

And she has called for the British army to be ejected unless the Queen is prepared to fly the Saltire in a superior position to the Union flag from the historic ramparts.

"According to a Crown Estates Commission report I have received, Edinburgh and Stirling castles ceased being army garrisons in the early 1990s and, following devolution, ownership of these two former fortresses reverted to Scottish ministers," she said.

"As a sign of respect to their host nation, they should raise the Saltire to the premier position above the castle's historic ramparts, a flag that previously flew there for centuries," she added.

"I am entirely confident that Scottish ministers will ensure the guidance they issued on flying the Saltire will be followed, and if the British army is not prepared to reconsider its position then I think the time will have come to review its tenancy arrangements."

Historic Scotland said responsibility for the main flagpoles at Stirling and Edinburgh castles lay with the British army because the buildings were military headquarters.

And the Ministry of Defence said that, as the castle is a British army headquarters and designated flag station, any change to flag-flying policy would need the permission of the Queen.

Ms Grahame said the current siting of the Saltire below the Union flag suggested a "subservient position" within Britain.

She also insisted the Scottish government was accountable to the Scottish people and not military law as set out in Queen's regulations.

Neil Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion Scotland, described Ms Grahame's suggestion as "offensive".

"This is a political step out of step with the majority," he said.

"Now is not the time to start talking about kicking the British army out of any Scottish castle. That particular comment reflects a level of disrespect to the British army as a unity. There is an antipathy there that is offensive."

Mr Griffiths said all British soldiers wore a Union flag on their shoulder with pride but certain regiments also flew the Saltire.

"Right now there is a military tattoo. People from all over the world have come to see the British army and the Scots have always played a massive part in its success," he said.

David Cairns, the Scotland Office minister, said it would be "outrageous" to "boot our boys out of the barracks".

He added: "Christine Grahame has taken the term 'silly season' to heart.

"This is a kick in the teeth to Scottish soldiers past and present, just to make petty political points."

WHAT'S THE BIG FLAP ALL ABOUT?

THE flag-flying furore first emerged after the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, suggested the Union flag should be flown over every public building in the UK.

The move led to concerns in Scotland that the Saltire would be displaced in favour of the Union flag.

But following discussions with Alex Salmond, the First Minister, it was confirmed Scottish ministers could decide on which flag flies outside Scottish Executive buildings. At the moment most Executive premises, including historic buildings, fly a Saltire except on special days, such as the Queen's birthday.

Where there are two flag-poles, the Union flag has the superior position.

However, Linda Fabiani, the culture minister, has said the Saltire should be given priority, and the SNP-led Scottish Executive is currently carrying out a review of guidelines on flag-flying policy.