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The SNP treats the media with sheer contempt, as this pathetic attempt at censorship shows Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser

Our story in January prompted a furious response with the First Minister tweeting about it no fewer than 17 times, accusing critics and in particular the Scottish Tories of spreading "fake news". She described the coverage in this and other newspapers as "the media at its worst" and tweeted: "Since the truth doesn't seem to matter very much to some, let me set out the facts on this ridiculous flag story." However, following the ruling by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) Ms Sturgeon is facing calls to apologise for a "pathetic attempt at censorship". Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: "This ruling shows the Express was 100 per cent correct to report the story. "And what's more, the paper was 100 per cent correct to fight the SNP's claim that it was inaccurate.

"The SNP treats the media with sheer contempt, as this pathetic attempt at censorship shows. "Thankfully the right outcome has been arrived at, and Nicola Sturgeon should apologise for trying to cast doubt on this accurate news report." Alex Cole-Hamilton, for the Scottish Lib Dems, added: "Nicola Sturgeon’s proclamations this week have made quite clear that her one and only priority is separating Scotland from the rest of the UK. "Reducing the days on which the Union Jack flew and then attacking the press who reported on it was just one more petty salvo in her war of attrition." The changes to the flag flying guidance mean the number of days the Union flag is displayed at many government buildings will be cut from 15 to just one - Remembrance Day.

Sturgeon has been urged to apologise for her "pathetic" attack on the Scottish Daily Express

1/ since the truth doesn’t seem to matter very much to some, let me set out the facts on this ridiculous flag story... — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018

Memo to PM’s new ‘fake news’ unit. The first line of defence against fake news is for your own politicians to stop peddling it. https://t.co/TTaeV50pDE — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018

The guidance is also widely followed by executive agencies and associated departments across Scotland. The Government claimed articles headlined "SNP flag snub to Royal Family" and "SNP show true colours" published on January 24 breached the Editor’s Code of Practice with regard to accuracy. An article was also published online with the headline “Sturgeon snubs Queen: Union flag stripped from Scottish Government buildings.” The Scottish Government claimed there was no "snub" to the Royal Family as the guidance made clear the Royal Banner, or Lion Rampant, should be flown at St Andrew's House on royal occasions - a practice which has been in place since 2010. The Government also argued they were only rules for its main buildings and "merely guidance for other buildings". However, the IPSO committee rejected the complaint and ruled there had been "no breach" of the Editor's Code of Practice on three separate points.

Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her furious response no fewer than 17 times