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SNP is accused after 'doctoring' flag image



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Published Date: 16 August 2008
THE SNP has come under fire for digitally altering a photograph on a Scottish tourism website to show a Saltire rather than a Union Flag.
A photograph on the Scottish Government's Homecoming Scotland website of the British flag flying at Edinburgh Castle was reportedly changed to show a Saltire in its place.

Royal British Legion Scotland described the move as an "insult" to Scottish
war heroes.

Spokesman Neil Griffiths said: "We take the strongest exception to this. It is absolutely wrong.

"This is extremely offensive to the thousands of men and women who have served under the Union Flag."

Mr Griffiths also accused the SNP of using taxpayer's money to promote its own political agenda on the publicly-funded website.

A Scottish Government spokesman confirmed the image had been digitally altered.

He said: "The image is merely a VisitScotland montage used to promote Homecoming 2009, adding fireworks and a Saltire to the castle since the Saltire is the badge of Homecoming.

"These are just promotional images – not adverts for the castle – and they have no political or any other significance whatsoever."

A Labour spokesman described the act as "petty".

The offending image appears to have since been removed.





The full article contains 205 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 16 August 2008 10:37 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

MtnKat,

16/08/2008 12:20:10
Not a day goes by.................................
2

subrosa,

16/08/2008 12:32:51
'Royal British Legion Scotland described the move as an "insult" to Scottish war heroes.'

What rubbish. None of my Scottish military family would feel in the least insulted by a saltire flying instead of the union jack. Pathetic and insulting remark by the RBL.
3

Heather B,

Anstruther 16/08/2008 12:34:15
Possibly the worst example of muck-raking, sensationalist, bin-raking, mud-slinging, molehill out of nothing, desperately phoning round to get a quote from anyone, by a once respected newspaper.

The word pathetic doesn't even sum it up. So I'll use two: utterly pathetic.

Can the last Scotsman at the Scotsman put out the lights and lock up?

Oh and in case anyone is confused, the Saltire isn't the badge for anything, it's the flag of Scotland.
4

Jmhzx,

brighton 16/08/2008 12:38:13
we're doomed Captain Mannering...

Bl**dy British Legion. As if the same people wouldn't have joined up for a Scottish Army. Why are we always pandering to the ex-forces? Retired nurses and teachers never get any support or assistance - why do retired soldiers think they are so deserving.
5

Rufus T. Firefly,

16/08/2008 12:39:02
Imagine if it had been the other way about.

All the SNP MSPs and MPs would be baying for blood.

It obviously still irks them that the Union Flag flies higher than the Saltire above Edinburgh Castle.

6

SEUMAS,

fearn 16/08/2008 12:43:50
What's the name of this rag again?
BAH HUMBUG!!!!
7

Christina, Aberdeen,

16/08/2008 13:00:48
Since when have the British Legion become a branch of the Labour party? Is Nigel Griffiths making these comments as a Labour party member or on behalf of the BL?
8

TimW1234,

Ottawa, Canada 16/08/2008 13:20:16
Nothing surprises me anymore about the shenanigans and foolishness of the SNP.

What a bunch of small-minded, trivialising non-entities.
9

ScotsUltraNationalist,

Nova Scotia 16/08/2008 13:43:22

#8 Tim, do you actually know anything about the current state of SCottish politics, or do you just like to make histrionic little asides as a pastime?
10

Brian S,

Edinburgh 16/08/2008 13:59:49
Another slow day in the news room then........................
11

Linda,

Edinburgh 16/08/2008 14:13:18


Another slow news day but what abot story in Daily Record to-day?

A “senior Labour figure” seeks to blame leadership contender Iain Gray for last year’s election fiasco, when he was a Scotland Office Special Adviser, and says that: “He’s done nothing since going back to Holyrood. He was totally wrongfooted and made to look foolish when the SNP’s Budget went through the parliament”

Only in Scotland would we have (British Nationalists) poeple who are insulted by Scotland's flag.
12

Linda,

Edinburgh 16/08/2008 14:14:55
Seriously it is a tourism site where it is necessary to distinguish between Scotland and England.
13

Gtj,

16/08/2008 14:43:03
Can someone wake me up when this crowd get a real story worth reading.
14

,

16/08/2008 15:24:21
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
15

Duncan in Edinburgh,

16/08/2008 16:15:42
#7 Neil Griffiths is actually a different person than Nigel Griffiths. Astonishing, isn't it? Perhaps your sight line was obscured by your knee jerking upwards...
16

MacGillicuddy,

16/08/2008 16:45:02
"Royal British Legion Scotland described the move as an "insult" to Scottish war heroes"

Typical Britpish nonsense spouted by this ultra Brit Nat organisation. In what capacity is Griffiths the BL spokesman?
#4 sums it up perfectly.

#9 Well said Sir. If Tim wants to see a small-minded, trivialising non-entity he only has to look in a mirror.


17

Nikostratos,

16/08/2008 16:48:44
Once again the snp Government admit they have acted in a underhand manner.the other day they admitted to trying fiddle with their tax payments

" SCOTTISH Government plan to avoid a £3 million VAT bill during the transfer of police"


"These are just promotional images – not adverts for the castle – and they have no political or any other significance whatsoever."

Uh! then why bother doing it seeing as it is so unimportant then the snp will place back the Union flag?

and all the snp supporters will say yes it is so unimportant we don't mind..
18

a proud doonhamer,

Dumfries 16/08/2008 17:03:13
Nikostratos, it is definitely an important issue. We need to take all the butchers aprons and have a wee fire.
19

ThomasP,

16/08/2008 17:05:27
Scottish soldiers actually fly the Saltire abroad. (check the bases in Iraq and Afganistan)

Should we not continue in the same manner at home?

Ah i see. Since our soldiers are the best in the world then screw the idea that they are Scots and force 'Britishness' upon them to make Britain look that little bit better.

Pathetic.
20

"Hoots" Fandango,

16/08/2008 17:13:53
Rufus

Did you get my post removed on the other thread? The tissue jibe.
21

frank mcbride,

lusitania 16/08/2008 17:15:16
#17, Niko.

Avoiding, needlessly, paying £3 000 000 in VAT is good housekeeping.

As for promoting a Scottish, cultual tourist, event by using an image of the Saltire above Edinburhg Castle doesn't seem to me, and I would suggest the vast majority of sentient being, a strange or offensive action.
Nor does it a to be underhand, but I suppose, when you have genuine issues, any smear will do.
22

Phil C,

16/08/2008 17:48:42
All Union Jacks in Scotland should be replaced by Saltires and we wouldn't have this 'problem'....and all unionists should be doctored! Or rather, they should have their brains examined.
23

Jimmy Le Pie,

16/08/2008 18:03:03
Roll on the day the Union Jack is banished to the history books and the Saltire flies proudly all over an independent Scotland.

The time is coming.
24

Nikostratos,

16/08/2008 19:17:57
To all the snp saltire flying supporters.I don't have a problem with any Scot preferring the Saltire over the 'Union' Flag. i don't have a problem with any Scot who after Independence only wishes to fly the saltire and not the 'Union' flag.

I have a problem with so called Scots patriots who pretend otherwise. Making them a bunch of dishonest and unpatriotic chancers who couldn't give a hoot for the Scotland they falsely claim to love.

And Frank they doctored the picture because they believe the Saltire should be the flag flying over Edinburgh Castle. I don't have a problem with their 'wanting' my question is why lie why not just stand up like 'MAN' and say so out straight. It has the attribute of honesty and self respect which their actions in denying the simple truth totally lack.

And the you lot harp on about newliebour well I'll say this the snp are sure taking a sharp learning curve.
25

Earman,

Dumfries 16/08/2008 19:51:41
Oh Niko, do stop getting hot under the collar. Is it not enough for you to rest assured that you have the Scottish people's interests at heart, first and foremost every time, just like the majority of us? Head for the common ground and don't be diverted by spurious issues!
26

MoClana,

16/08/2008 20:14:25
Tell me another country in the entire world , when deciding to show case their own flag when promoting their own country that would cause this amount of sh*t stir?
Would the Scottish public agree with this change - of course? Does this paper persist in trying to whip up anti Scottish / SNP feeling - of course. Is this papers credibilty with articles like this in tatters - with out a shadow of a doubt.

What small minded desperate journalism to come up with this utter mince. Are we to showcase the Brittish flag whilst promoting a 'homecoming' initiative to Scotland?

This paper now only gets attention for the utterly outrages partisan 'journalistic' lies and spin in prints. Its so bad its funny.

Well its doesnt speak on behalf of any majority of people in Scotland, it represnets an unltra Unionist few with their own anti Scottish / SNP agenda.

Soar Alba
27

Eve,

Scotland 16/08/2008 22:01:04
People serve under a flag!!! Amasing they issue every service man and woman with a union Jack to protect them.

What rubbish camoflash. That is.

Funny that when you see these people on the telly their very raely near a flag of any sort.

(sorry can't seem to cut and paste the day, it's the Scotsmans fault NOT mine as I'm get a new web broser page when I try to high light)
28

Eve,

Scotland 16/08/2008 22:07:10
I'd rather see the Saulite any day other the union jack.

Really they way some people i.e. that Nigel guy are reacting you'd think. Someone had broken in replaced the flags and brunt their beloved (hidous looking flag)Union Jack.

I'm suprised these people actaul take the time to go to vist the web site of Vist Scotland .com. Just thought they'd be busy looking at for the Birittish equvielent (if such one existeds.
29

ThomasP,

16/08/2008 22:07:52
#27

I agree. Edinbrugh Castle has seen her fair share of history where our relations with England were at their lowest. However, we are made to hold a flag up that equally represents England?
30

Eve,

Scotland 16/08/2008 22:11:59
Pst anyone see a flag in this photo. Cause i don't and this is the only photo of Edinburght castle I found on Vist Scotland. Com.

http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,SIG48101Svs,curr,GBP,season,at1,selectedEntry,home/home.html
31

Duncan in Edinburgh,

16/08/2008 23:21:47
Pst anyone see where it said in the article that the photo had been removed?
32

Joe wolson,

Glasgow 16/08/2008 23:43:51
There was a Scottish Nationalist Party in the dark days of 1940.

Were they all supporting Winston Churchill to "Fight them on the beaches and .... Never Surrender" or were many of them urging that like Eire, Scotland should keep out of a war the United Kingdom looked certain to lose?
33

Joe wolson,

Glasgow 16/08/2008 23:56:15
Another question for SNP posters. Which is more important to you Battle of Britain or Battle of Bannockburn?
34

Deez Nuts,

Edinburgh 17/08/2008 00:03:04
its an insult yeah alright the snp supporters are insulting there memory of the fallen heros of world war 2. SNP and there supporters are a bunch of traitors to the flag most people dont support independence they support the union and queen and country and honour the fallen heroes who fought for the freedoms we now enjoy. If they where lazy traitor moaners like the snp in the second world war would have lost.
35

Deez Nuts,

Edinburgh 17/08/2008 00:05:39
snp supporters are people who have honour no doctoring this photo proves that wanting to break up this great nation proves that.
36

Dougie - Edinburgh,

Edinburgh 17/08/2008 08:57:10
Why would any Scottish soldier possibly be insulted by the Scottish flag?
37

TimW1234,

Ottawa, Canada 17/08/2008 09:42:27
I see MacGillicuddy is his usual and charming self. He must be a very angry and dissatisfied person to be so insulting and negative in nearly all his inconsequential postings.

And by the way,#9, I have done my research and know enough about Scottish politics from reading this newspaper and The Herald and other sources.

And, #9, the "histrionics" are in your ballpark since you seem to have over-reacted over nothing, really.

Calm down or you will have a coronary.
38

artemisclyde,

17/08/2008 17:29:47
Its funny - when the services are "advertising for staff" for example, their tv advert campaigns it seems they are quite happy to use the saltire. In fact, as big a saltire as possible!

You just have to look in the small print to find the Union flag.

Seems like they have managed to find this Neil Griffiths person - (not Nigel, folks) - to make a bit of an outcry about it.
39

Joe wolson,

Glasgow 17/08/2008 18:29:10
So whilst SNP will not criticise directly they are, through their party activists, accusing Mr Griffiths of being some sort of unionist stooge. Beneath contempt.

We should all be very thankful that the SNP were far less conspicuous and we didn't have an internet in the 1940's. Shudder to think what SNP and their supporters' obvious hatred of the Union Jack would have caused them to urge others to do
40

Duncan McAlister,

Ayr 17/08/2008 20:11:58
The thing is Joe, the SNP will flaunt their poppies in November and gladly celebrate the likes of the 60th anniversary of the NHS, whilst denying that these events are a result of us being part of one United Kingdom. They might say "but Scotland could have fought with the Allies under the saltire, as an independent state", but most of the small nations they aspire to emulate, such as Ireland and Scandinavian countries, remained neutral during WWII. In a similar way, they will champion the "Celtic Tiger" economy but ignore the fact that Ireland does not provide such an extensive welfare state as the UK, for example in healthcare.

41

Applecrumble,

Somewhere near the equator 18/08/2008 00:08:40
HELLLOOOO PEOPLE THIS IS SCOTLAND NOT BRITAIN!!! THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

I am a proud Scot and it is my right to want the flag of my country - the SALTIRE - to fly from the country's castle in the capital and indeed all castles in the country. It is also my right to stick one or maybe two if I feel like it fingers up at this so called British Legion and tell them that they have nothing to do with the way our tourist board is presented. There is already a sickening image of Scotland abroad whereby the majority of foreigners (I know this from personal experience) think that Scotland is an english city.

Time to stand up and take our country back!
42

Royster,

18/08/2008 00:38:21
#42. Actually, Scotland is part of the UK. If Scotland wants to leave, all it has to do is vote in favour of independence. Until such a time, please don't impose your views on others.
43

,

18/08/2008 01:42:17
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
44

donald,

glasgow 18/08/2008 02:47:23
Only the Labour Party, the LOL and the Labour Loyalist Parkheid Board would be insulted by such a patriotic gesture,
45

Castaway,

18/08/2008 03:16:44
#43-Actually if the UK (English)dominated Parliament weren't desperate to keep Scotland within the UK they would have got rid of us years ago.
46

mr angry,

ayrshire 18/08/2008 08:19:25
#40 , #41 Tweedledee and tweedledum , what a pair of plonkers.
47

albalassie,

glasgow 18/08/2008 08:52:51
anyone in scotland who doesn't wish to see the saltire flying can leave. . . and i hope the door skelps your fat behinds on the way out.
48

Jambo Number 1,

18/08/2008 09:33:33
Until such day as they print the Union Flag on Andrex I shall have it nowhere near my home or property.

It is a disgusting flag, a symbol for the large number of bigots who populate our country. The New world order imperialists must be defeated.
49

Yeah1,

18/08/2008 09:40:26
Its funny to see all the SNP dismissing this as a 'non-story' - if this had been the other way round (i.e. labour replacing the saltire with the union flag on a photo) they would have been in absolute uproar.

The hypocricy of some people on these boards (both SNP and labour supporters) is staggering.
50

Edward,

18/08/2008 09:41:11
The unionists and the British Legion realy should get a grip!
First of all, the Home coming 2009 Torism campaign is about attracting people to come to SCOTLAND
The SCOTTISH Tourism website is about attracting visitors to SCOTLAND and the flag of SCOTLAND is the Saltire NOT the Union Flag, so get over it!
Secondly and just as relevent to our freinds in the British Legion. When ever Scottish TRoops have been deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, the thing that is noticable is th flying of the SCOTTISH Flag from Tanks and armoured vehicles as well as haveing a Saltire painted on the vehicles. In addition Scottish troops handed out a leaflet (H086) to the locals in Iraq, the Leaflet depicts a Scottish Solder and Iraqi kids and flying is the Scottish Flag!
51

Arfur,

18/08/2008 12:54:56
Nonsense, if anything more people are offended that the Union Jack is there rather than the Saltire. Just about every single person i know think it is shocking that it isn't.
52

Climate change is a fraud,

18/08/2008 15:52:22
The SNP prefers the EU's ring-o-stars.
53

Joe wolson,

Glasgow 18/08/2008 19:51:56
Given comments decided to Google SNP to find out what leadership was doing during WWII.

Noted that from 1942 to 1945 they were led a gentleman by the name of Douglas Young who was imprisoned for refusing to be conscripted. Also sought to undermine the Allied war effort by challenging right of UK government to send Scottish troops overseas.

Clearly many of those posting would see him as a hero and would have done likewise.

Rather puts their criticism of Mr Griffiths and the Union flag into perspective.
54

dude,

wishaw 18/08/2008 22:20:20
51 Edward,18/08/2008 09:41:11
The unionists and the British Legion realy should get a grip!
First of all, the Home coming 2009 Torism campaign is about attracting people to come to SCOTLAND
The SCOTTISH Tourism website is about attracting visitors to SCOTLAND and the flag of SCOTLAND is the Saltire NOT the Union Flag, so get over it!
Secondly and just as relevent to our freinds in the British Legion. When ever Scottish TRoops have been deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, the thing that is noticable is th flying of the SCOTTISH Flag from Tanks and armoured vehicles as well as haveing a Saltire painted on the vehicles. In addition Scottish troops handed out a leaflet (H086) to the locals in Iraq, the Leaflet depicts a Scottish Solder and Iraqi kids and flying is the Scottish Flag!

Well said that man, if the moaning meanies cant see the sence and reality of your post they are beyond help, please just dont get involved with this cr*p read 51 and let that be the end of it
55

dude,

Wishaw 18/08/2008 22:22:00
People are entitled to their beliefs even in wartime you idiot, that is what they fought and died for
56

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 22:59:50
if true, I'm right behind them.

C'mon the Saltire!
57

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 23:06:05
This is utterly incredible:

"Spokesman Neil Griffiths said: "We take the strongest exception to this. It is absolutely wrong.

"This is extremely offensive to the thousands of men and women who have served under the Union Flag."

How many Scots actually care about the butcher's apron? Very few.

The Saltire, on the other hand is dear to their hearts.
58

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 23:12:55
Where's the altered photo?
59

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 23:30:52
#28 Tim

Your blood pressure is getting dangerously high. Stop making yourself ill with all that venom.

Stop now before you blow a gasket you poor wee saddo.
60

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 23:31:57
That was directed at #38
61

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 23:33:45
#40 Joe

All in your sick and twisted small mind!
62

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 18/08/2008 23:38:27
#50 yeah

Not a "non-story" at all. I will always object to the Union flag and make it a big issue.

Most Scots prefer the Saltire.
63

Joe wolson,

Glasgow 18/08/2008 23:44:24
May be a butcher's apron to you Mr Connaughtboy, and doubtless was to your revered Douglas Young.

To Mr Griffiths and others in the UK, Europe and elsewhere it rightly symbolised fight against oppression and tyranny far worse than anything you can imagine.

If the doctoring of the Union flag was not bad enough the comments from many of the SNP bloggers have left a distinctly foul taste.
64

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 19/08/2008 09:01:27
#64 Joe

Wake up! Colonialism is dead! The Union flag is becoming less and less important in the UK as evidenced by the resurgence of the St George flag in England, in preference to the Union flag.

As for your comment that the Union flag symbolises the fight against oppression and tyranny, I imagine that just as many would regard it as exactly the opposite.

Also, no-one "doctored" the Union flag as you claim, in fact it was completely erased and replaced with the National flag of Scotland an action that gets my full support.

Joe, how distinctly foul was the taste in your mouth when Blair and Hoon callously disbanded the Black Watch while the members of that regiment were actually on active duty in Iraq?
65

Nevsky,

Moscow 19/08/2008 09:20:41
64:

So did the hammer and sickle but it's not flown anymore despite the fact the Soviets lost more peope than anyone else.

They are happy with the Russian flag today though, unlike so Scotas and their national flag!
66

Duncan McAlister,

Ayr 19/08/2008 13:07:43
Hope you're all choking on your own bile at the moment watching Scotland's achievements as part of GREAT BRITAIN at the Olympics!
67

JCA REID,

Annan 19/08/2008 13:25:36
RE: #34 Yes historically both were important. All the Battle of Britain did was stall Hitler's intentions & make him move east. However, I prefer the words of an Englishman, KEYNES, the economist. At the Versailles Treaty of 1919 he foresaw a second world war in 20years time & told the Enlish/British delegates so because of the conditions laid down.
The quicker England is isolated & "depowered" the better. It is nothing more than a septic, overpopulated isle that wants to drag the minor countires of the UK down to a level below it! all they have given Scotland is over 500years of conflict since 1707!!
68

thomas ferguson,

19/08/2008 14:58:55
if bawface salmond could get away with it he would have his face in the saltire, chip chip away at our common rights by salmond and his daft pals
69

MoClana,

19/08/2008 19:16:14
To all those eejits who make the remark ' what about the battle of Britain' what about the Nazis'. Do you honestly think that Scotland would have avoided war whether independent or not? What has WW11 got to do with Scottish Independence?
Witohut a doubt if Scotland were independent it wouldnt have taken a genius to figure out Hitlers ambitions and a coalition would have been formed between both countries to counter the Nazi threat, as was in Europe, which resulted in war being declared in the first place.

Why do those blinkered Unionists think that if it wasnt for the English we would all be Nazis? its a ridiculous argument -Should the Dutch delegate its responsibilities to Westminster because of the war? what about France? Coming to think of it we should all declare ourselves American as they were the deciding factor..not the English.
Its these kind of ultra Brittish remarks which show the extreme nature of Nationalism...not the democratic and natural progression to self determination by the Scottish people.
70

Joe wolson,

Glasgow 19/08/2008 19:42:50
Have SNP ever apologised for the behaviour of their then leaders at Britains's darkest hour?

If so I will respect them for it.

If not why not?

 

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