The National Trust has been forced into a humiliating climbdown over a policy to banish volunteers from meeting the public if they disobeyed orders to wear a gay pride rainbow flag.

Scores of volunteers at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk had refused to wear the badges and lanyards bearing the motif despite being told they would be limited to backroom chores.

The controversial move, revealed after the Telegraph published a leaked email written by Trust bosses, was part of the organisation’s ‘Prejudice and Pride’ campaign intended to celebrate 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality.