Most comprehensive apology you’ll see this week
Even for the Daily Mail, this is quite something.
Earlier this week its Scottish edition reported that Nicola Sturgeon had banned the Union flag on Queen’s birthday and 14 other Royal occasions.
Nicola Sturgeon bans the Union flag on Queen’s birthday and 14 other Royal occasions. pic.twitter.com/961H6PmhYN
— Michael Blackley (@Mike_Blackley) January 23, 2018
Here’s what the Scottish first minister had to say about it at the time.
But it didn’t stop numerous people reporting it as fact. Like newspapers …
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Sturgeon hauls down union flag' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/rNuiXs6eHP
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 23, 2018
… and radio presenters …
… And Tory politicians (this is our favourite).
And here’s what the Daily Mail had to say today.
The Daily Mail has admitted that its ridiculous story about me and flags was utterly false and issued a full apology. pic.twitter.com/mMj1Ho1N11
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 26, 2018
Doesn’t get much more comprehensive than this.
“In our January 24 article headlined ‘Sturgeon bans Union Flag for Queen’s birthday’ we reported that Nicola Sturgeon decreed that the Union Flag should not be flowing over dozens of public buildings on the Queen’s birthday and other royal events.
“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.”
BREAKING: We've issued a teeny-tiny apology. Soz about the bullshit story. Hope not too much damage has been done <snigger> https://t.co/Hz4GozZ3xU
— The DM Reporter (@DMReporter) January 26, 2018
For fans of this sort of thing, here’s what Sturgeon had to say before last night’s apology.
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
2/ there are two essential elements to the story. One, that @scotgov has recently changed its practice on what flags to fly from government buildings on Royal occasions; and two, that I ordered such a change. Both are wrong.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018
3/ since 2010, the Lion Rampant has been flown on Royal occasions – entirely appropriately. Since the Lion Rampant is the Royal Banner, it is not clear to me why anyone would object to that. However, the key point is that there has been no change to this since 2010.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018
4/ yes, the civil service recently decided to update the published guidance, but simply to ensure that it accurately reflected the long standing practice – the underlying policy has not changed. And why would it?
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018
5/ as for the claim that I ordered a change, I have issued no instructions, orders, authorisations – or even expressed an opinion – about changing flag policy. The update of the guidance was an administrative step – albeit a sensible one – and not done at my request.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018
6/ sadly, the truth will not matter to some in today’s media – and that’s part of a much bigger problem, I’m afraid. But I still believe (hope) it matters to most in the media – and certainly to the public.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018
7/ now I’ll leave those who are motivated to do so to argue about flags. I’ll get back to matters health, education, the economy and protecting Scotland’s interests. ENDS.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 24, 2018
