DAVID CAMERON'S decision to fly the Saltire over Downing Street is not a trite, absurd or patronising gesture, No 10 has insisted, but a symbol of the importance the Prime Minister attaches to Scotland staying within the UK.
His spokesman, denying Scotland's national flag was the "flag of your enemy", said: "The Prime Minister has been very clear in his message that we want Scotland to stay. I would put the fact that the Saltire will be flying over No 10 firmly in that context."
The hoisting of Scotland's national flag was not without a hitch as it initially fell down onto the Downing Street roof.
When it was pointed out Mr Cameron had previously stated while in opposition "we don't do flags on the front lawn", after the then premier Gordon Brown suggested Britain could learn from the American practice of flag-flying, the PM's spokesman stressed how on respective national days the flags of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland were already flown over No 10. "So, it will not be the first time," he noted.
Last year, Alex Salmond, the First Minister, incurred Mr Cameron's wrath when he raised the Saltire behind him while watching Andy Murray win the Wimbledon final.
The Saltire will fly above No 10 and other Whitehall departments until Referendum Day, said the PM's spokesman.
Mr Cameron's decision came after Ed Miliband urged town halls across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to fly the Scottish flag out of a sense of solidarity. Initial reports said some councils were unaware of the Labour leader's call while others refused to heed it.
Asked if the Prime Minister would like households south of the border to fly the Saltire to show their desire for Scotland to stay in the Union, the spokesman said: "His message is if you feel strongly, do go out and express your desire and keenness for Scotland to stay in the UK."
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