What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Emily Thornberry has made her peace with the England flag - and even thinks postal workers should be able to fly them during the world cup.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary had to quit Ed Miliband’s top team in 2014 after being accused of mocking a house in Kent displaying a St George’s flag.

So when she was booked as the guest speaker for the Parliamentary Press Gallery's monthly lunch, cheeky organisers draped the venue with the flag.

Ms Thornberry was a good sport, laughed and took it in good humour.

(Image: Mirror Screen Grab)

And she supported calls for the Royal Mail to overturn a ban on staff fixing flags to their vehicles, saying fans should be allowed to get behind the Three Lions in Russia.

She said: “I don’t really understand this. I think one of the things about the World Cup is that we do get lots of flags out and I think that there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Her multi-ethnic Islington constituency is home to a variety of flags from countries taking part in the football showpiece, said ms Thornberry.

Urging Royal Mail bosses to do a U-turn, she added: “I do hope they reconsider because I think there is no problem with this at all.

“This is a time for us to celebrate. The World Cup is a great event and it does give people an opportunity to celebrate.”

Ms Thornberry admitted that she “can’t pretend I’ve got the greatest interest football”.

But she said workers from a home nation reaching a World Cup final should be given a Bank Holiday the next working day - perhaps giving Gareth Southgate’s men and even greater incentive to push for glory.

“That would help to get everybody behind it,” she suggested.