Town halls across the UK have been officially reminded they must fly the Union Jack flag on 19 February, to celebrate Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday.

Politicians and public alike have slammed the Whitehall order, which they say puts protocol before principles.

The prince is not currently performing royal duties amid an ongoing scandal over his friendship with millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and claims that then-teenager Virginia Roberts was coerced into having sex with Prince Andrew in 2001 and 2002.

He denies the allegation, saying he was at a birthday party at the Woking branch of Pizza Express on one of the nights the pair are said to have slept together.

However, the order is now likely to be withdrawn, after the prime minister’s spokesman described it as “an administrative email about a longstanding policy”.

Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew, Duke of York arrives at the Royal Albert Hall on 8 November 2014 in London Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew, the Duke of York (L) speaks to Queen Elizabeth II on the Queens stand during Derby day at the Epsom Derby Festival, in Surrey on 1 June 2013 Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew with his daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice on the Balcony at Buckingham Palace, 2013 Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Princess Beatrice (C) poses for photograph with her parents, Britain's Prince Andrew, the Duke York (L) and Sarah Ferguson following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College, in London, 2011 Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew’s ‘pointless plunge’ down the Shard was the moment to take stock of his usefulness Getty Images Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew is the first royal to take and tweet a selfie Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Al-Khalifa at Royal Ascot in 2010 Getty Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew with Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan in 2009 Rex Features Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the first day of his state visit to London Getty Images Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Duke of York in his uniform REX FEATURES Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Britain's Prince Andrew speaks to the press during a meeting with Turkish Businessmen at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul on 26 May 2004 Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Wearing a traditional Guatemalan ceremonial jacket, Britains Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, turns on the tap innaugurating an irrigation system sponsored by the European community on 7 March 2002 in Nevaj, Guatemala Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew The newly wed Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and his wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, wave to crowds on 23 July 1986 from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London while Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Mother look on Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew and Prince Edward with their governess, Lavinia Keppel, at the Children's Book Show in Westminster, London on 7 November 1969 Prince Andrew: Life in pictures Prince Andrew Prince Andrew (bottom left) with his parents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and siblings, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and little Prince Edward at Windsor Castle, 1965 Getty Images

“I understand that DCMS [the digital, culture and media department] and the royal household are considering how the policy applies for changed circumstances, such as when members of the Royal Family have stepped back from public duties,” the spokesman said - in a clear hint it will be pulled.

The instruction hadt drawn heavy criticism, Labour MP and deputy leadership candidate Ian Murray saying: “This protocol has to be binned given the allegations against the prince.”

“This would be wholly inappropriate. It should be knocked on the head immediately,” added MP Wes Streeting.

Speaking to The Sun, a council source said: “It seems ridiculous. The government doesn’t appear to be noticing what has happened recently, or factoring in the mood of the nation.”

The Queen and Prince Charles held an emergency meeting last week to discuss Prince Andrew but it is not known if they were aware — or endorsed — the reminder to fly the flag.