Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has overturned a rule which forbade the LGBT pride rainbow flag from being flown at British embassies overseas.

The flag, recognised as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBT community, may now be flown from British government offices abroad to celebrate Pride and other events.

Philip Hammond, the previous Foreign Secretary, had insisted as recently as July only the union flag and a handful of others should fly.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesperson told PinkNews: “The Foreign Secretary has agreed that FCO buildings, including at diplomatic missions overseas, can fly the rainbow flag in order to mark relevant international days such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and locally relevant events, such as local Pride celebrations.”

It will be the choice of the ambassador or high commissioner to fly the flag. Local circumstances will also be taken into account.

The decision is likely to be welcomed by campaigners and was already recommended by a House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee who, while criticising the FCO’s “apparent deprioritisation of human rights”, said: “We, along with many others, noticed the FCO’s decision not to fly the Rainbow Flag for London Pride in 2015, which reversed the policy of the previous Foreign Secretary and separated the FCO from the numerous other Government departments which did fly the Rainbow Flag.

In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants on motor cycles during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central, London. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Daphne, a miniture schnouzer, wears a rainbow tie at a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Jennifer Saunders (right) and Joanna Lumley (left) pose in character along with performers in front of the Absolutely Fabulous/Stolli (vodka) Pride in London float PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London 'Pet Play' enthusiasts dress and behave as dogs during a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London A policeman kisses his fiance after proposing to him during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central London. PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Matthew Barzun (left) and Major of London Sadiq Khan attending the Pride in London parade PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

“The decision by the current Foreign Secretary not to fly the Rainbow Flag at FCO buildings for Pride 2015 signalled an apparent change in FCO policy and sent a message that contradicts much of the actual work and objectives of the FCO.

“We recommend that the FCO reverses its decision not to fly the Rainbow Flag for national Pride events.

The department, then still led by Philip Hammond, responded: “The FCO has a very clear policy on flag flying: it is to fly the Union flag at the FCO and all its embassies, high commissions and consulates at all times.