The Union flag will be "eradicated" from Scottish government buildings after Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP administration ordered that it be flown only once a year.

The British flag will fly from dozens of government buildings only on Remembrance Sunday and not, as has traditionally been the case, on royal birthdays and anniversaries. It means that the flag will fly on just one day a year rather than the 15 times it was hoisted last year.

MPs in Westminster said the new guidance issued by the First Minister's civil servants was "outrageous" and accused the SNP of "small mindedness" and a "tawdry attempt to sow more division".

Public buildings have traditionally flown the Union flag alongside the Saltire to commemorate the birthdays of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and their family.

But the updated guidance states that it should no longer be flown to commemorate 14 royal birthdays and anniversaries. It applies to buildings operated by Scottish Government and its executive agencies, with courts and councils also having the option to follow it.