Daily Mail apologises for falsely claiming Nicola Sturgeon banned Union Flags on Queen's birthday

First Minister calls the story 'ridiculous' and 'utterly false'

Nicola Sturgeon brands Daily Mail story a 'blatant untruth' (Getty)

The Daily Mail has published an apology after it falsely claimed that Nicola Sturgeon banned the Union Flag from flying above dozens of buildings on the Queen’s birthday.

Scotland’s First Minister welcomed the retraction and called the story “ridiculous” and “utterly false”.

It its clarifications and corrections section, The Mail admitted it gave the “impression” Ms Sturgeon had “decreed” a cut to the number of days the flag flies above Scottish government buildings from 15 to one – on Remembrance Day.

The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Express made similar claims.

The decision was actually taken by former first minister Alex Salmond, in consultation with the Queen, in 2010, though policy paperwork was only updated for 2018.

The Mail retraction said: “We are happy to clarify that the decision to change the policy on flag flying was taken and implemented by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2010.

"The Protocol and Honours Team updated operational guidance in December 2017.

"We accept that the policy did not change under Nicola Sturgeon and that she had no involvement in the Protocol and Honours Team updating the operational guidance on flag flying for 2018. We apologise to Ms Sturgeon for the contrary impression given."

Highlighting the apology on Twitter, Ms Sturgeon wrote: “Rigorous scrutiny of politicians by a free media is fundamental to our democracy. But when newspapers publish blatant untruths they do a disservice, not just to those they defame, but to the integrity of their trade.

"That’s why it’s important to challenge falsehoods.”