The Scottish Daily Mail has apologised to Nicola Sturgeon after the newspaper claimed the first minister had “decreed” that the union flag should no longer be flown over dozens of public buildings to mark royal events.

The front-page splash on Wednesday, which said “Sturgeon bans union flag for Queen’s birthday”, was also reported by two other newspapers, the Daily Telegraph and Daily Express. It was reported that the Scottish National party leader had “ruled that the number of days that the UK flag should be displayed on key occasions should be cut from 15 to only one”.



In its clarifications and corrections section on Friday morning, the Mail wrote: “We are happy to clarify that the decision to change the policy on flag flying was taken and implemented by former first minister Alex Salmond in 2010. The protocol and honours team updated operational guidance in December 2017.

“We accept that the policy did not change under Nicola Sturgeon and that she had no involvement in the protocol and honours team updating the operational guidance on flag flying for 2018.

“We apologise to Ms Sturgeon for the contrary impression given.”

Sturgeon tweeted on Friday:

The Daily Mail has admitted that its ridiculous story about me and flags was utterly false and issued a full apology. pic.twitter.com/mMj1Ho1N11 — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 26, 2018

She added: “Rigorous scrutiny of politicians by a free media is fundamental to our democracy. But when newspapers publish blatant untruths they do a disservice, not just to those they defame, but to the integrity of their trade. That’s why it’s important to challenge falsehoods.”