Scottish Parliament set to keep EU flag flying after Brexit Day The decision to lower the EU flag by Holyrood’s ruling body was condemned by pro-European SNP politicians as ‘regressive and isolationist’

Controversial plans to permanently lower the Scottish Parliament‘s EU flag on Brexit Day are set to be scrapped after ministers successfully pressed for a debate on the issue.

The original decision was made a fortnight ago by Holyrood’s ruling body and was immediately condemned by pro-European SNP politicians as “regressive and isolationist”.

Now MSPs of all parties will be asked to vote on the issue after a 30-minute debate on Wednesday afternoon, with the majority expected to back a reversal of the policy.

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The issue has sparked a major clash between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament, with Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh arguing it was being wrongly politicised.

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In a letter to parliamentary business minister Graeme Dey, he said criticism of the decision risked undermining the “trusted and impartial” reputation of Holyrood’s ruling body.

The policy was agreed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), which is made up of a representative from each political party who are supposed to set aside their allegiances.

The group collectively agreed that the EU flag, which has flown outside Holyrood since 2004 when the current building opened, should be removed at 11pm on Friday 31 January.

Mr Macintosh said the decision was based on the fact that as of that time, the UK will “no longer be a member of the European Union”, removing the original rationale for flying the flag.

“The corporate body recognises entirely the sensitivity that remains over Europe, but its decision is not a political one. Our flags represent our relationship in law,” he added.

Row

In a sign of the group’s displeasure at ministers’ decision to call a vote on the matter, he said its members agreed flag flying “should not become a political issue for debate on the floor”.

However, the SPCB will be bound to follow the decision of MSPs at the vote on Wednesday, meaning the policy is now likely to be reversed in time for Brexit day.

Nicola Sturgeon‘s spokesman said the Scottish Government had initially tried to compromise by suggesting that the EU flag could still fly during the Brexit transition period, but was rebuffed.

The decision to call a debate was criticised by the Scottish Conservatives, who accused ministers of focusing their efforts on “two matters which have already been decisively resolved” – Brexit and Scottish independence.