Largs Union Jack flag row could end up in court

A row over a Union flag in Largs could result in court action over its removal from a disused pub after the local SNP MP complained that it was an '˜eyesore'.

By The Newsroom Thursday, 30th November 2017, 3:20 pm Updated Tuesday, 12th December 2017, 5:13 am

A row over a Union flag in Largs could result in court action. Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson wrote to planning officials last year about the Union flag, which is flying around 40ft high above a former sports bar in the seaside resort.

Council officers agreed that the flag, believed to have first been erected around the time of the Scottish Independence referendum in 2014, was detrimental to the appearance of Largs’ Main Street.

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The flag was removed, but the offending flagpole is still in place and North Ayrshire council could take legal action to ensure that it is also taken down.

A council spokesman told the Herald, which first reported on the story: “The enforcement notice has not been complied with.

“A failure to comply with an enforcement notice is an offence and those responsible can be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. At present the council is pursuing the matter with the owners, however if the pole is not removed then the case would be reported to the fiscal for their consideration.”

Patricia Gibson. Picture: SNP/Contributed

At the time, Ms Gibson, who held the seat for the SNP at the general election in June with a reduced majority, was accused of making complaints that were politically motivated.

Local Tory councillor Tom Marshall said: “The Union flag is a national flag and anyone is entitled to fly it. “It would only be an eyesore to a Scottish nationalist. If the flagpole had been flying a Saltire then Mrs Gibson would not have complained.

“I wonder if she will take action over the Saltires adorning some classrooms in Largs Academy?”