Raising flag would be ‘inappropriate’ after prince stepped back from public duties over Epstein scandal, says MP

This article is more than 7 months old

This article is more than 7 months old

The British government has changed the policy of flying flags on royal birthdays, with local authorities no longer required to raise the Union Flag for Prince Andrew.

Officials earlier said they were considering how the policy applied “in changing circumstances, such as when members of the royal family step back from their duties”, according to a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The government later said it would be advising councils “that there is no requirement to fly flags on the 19th February following the decision by the Duke of York to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future”.

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The Sun newspaper had published a leaked email sent to local authorities reminding them to fly the British flag for Andrew’s 60th birthday on 19 February.

The Queen’s second son withdrew from public life and royal duties after a disastrous television interview defending his friendship with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Flying flags on government buildings in his honour “would be wholly inappropriate”, Labour MP Wes Streeting told the newspaper.

Johnson’s spokesman said the email, sent by a civil servant in the local government ministry, was an “administrative email about long-standing policy”.

He said discussions were under way between the ministry and the royal household about a change.

Designated days for flying the British flag on UK government buildings include the birthdays of the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, their wedding day, the birthdays of their four children and of their grandson Prince William and his wife Kate.

Andrew has strenuously denied claims he had sex with 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre, who was procured by Epstein, a financier found dead in prison in August last year while awaiting charges of trafficking minors.

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But there was a public outcry after the prince gave a BBC interview in November, where he failed to adequately explain why he did not cut off ties with his friend earlier, or express much empathy with Epstein’s alleged victims.

A US prosecutor said last month Andrew had provided “zero co-operation” to the investigation into Epstein’s activities.

On Thursday Buckingham Palace said the Duke of York had asked to defer a military promotion to Admiral until he is able to fully resume royal duties.

“By convention, the Duke of York would be in line for military promotion on his 60th birthday,” the spokeswoman said.

“Following the decision by His Royal Highness to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, the Duke of York has asked the Ministry of Defence if this promotion might be deferred until such time that His Royal Highness returns to public duty.”

A spokeswoman for Westminster Abbey said the Duke’s birthday would still be marked by the traditional ringing of bells. “There are no plans to change these arrangements,” she said.

With Press Association and Agence France-Presse