Downing Street has been forced into a hasty rethink after complaints about a diktat that town halls should fly a flag for Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday.
Councils had been sent an email instructing them to mark the Duke of York’s birthday by flying the union flag on February 19.
The message was sent by civil servant Matt Stevenson – private secretary to Dame Melanie Dawes, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Andrew stepped down from royal public life in November after the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance, and the
Queen cancelled her son’s formal birthday celebrations soon after.Just seen this being debated on @GMBWhilst I’m very supportive of the
Royal Family I personally believe it is wholly inappropriate in the prevailing circumstances for Council’s to fly the Union Jack for Prince Andrew’s birthday! @theresa_may@RBWMhttps://t.co/NAsnJmGyAZ— Cllr Phil Haseler (@PhilHaseler1) February 6, 2020The prince was accused of showing a lack of empathy for sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein’s victims and of failing to show regret over his friendship with the disgraced financier.
Virginia Giuffre, previously known as
Virginia Roberts, claims she was trafficked by convicted sex offender Epstein and alleges the duke slept with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 – still a minor under US law.
Andrew, who strenuously denies the allegations, is facing calls to talk to the
FBI and US prosecutors.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the instruction to formally mark his birthday did not prove universally popular.
Tory councillor Phil Haseler, of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, tweeted: “Whilst I’m very supportive of the Royal Family I personally believe it is wholly inappropriate in the prevailing circumstances for councils to fly the Union Jack for Prince Andrew’s birthday!”
A council source told The Sun: “Making this gesture while there is a cloud hanging over the duke is hugely insulting to Epstein’s victims and those wanting answers.”
The prime minister’s official spokesperson played down the instruction, saying: “This was an administrative email about long-standing policy.
“I understand DCMS and the royal household are considering how the policy applies in changing circumstances such as when members of the royal family step back from their duties.”
No.10 rarely comments on royal matters and the remarks are a strong signal that town halls are unlikely to be required to follow the usual practice of flying flag.
Guiffre tweeted: “Oh mummy they didn’t even raise the flag on my birthday- if only life was so hard.” She advised the prince to “get over” himself and to “tell the truth.”Oh mummy they didn’t even raise the flag on my birthday- if only life was so hard. Seriously #PrincePervy / #PrinceAndrew get over yourself, come forward and tell the truth. @adamdavidson@GhostPanther@jkbjournalist 🦋 https://t.co/pyyR65WurI— Virginia Giuffre (@VRSVirginia) February 6, 2020Republic, a campaign to replace the monarchy with an elected head of state, said councils had better things to worry about than “daft royal protocols”.
Republic CEO Graham Smith said: “This is crass and offensive, and that even at the best of times it’s nonsense to be flying flags for Andrew’s or anyone else’s birthday.
“Councils are struggling to provide core services, they have better things to worry about than daft royal protocols.
“And to think we should be celebrating a man who has serious accusations of sexual assault hanging over his head is particularly appalling.
“It’s time we ended the whole nonsense of flying flags for royal birthdays.
“It’s inappropriate in a democracy and the public aren’t interested. I think we’d all rather see councils spend their time and money getting services delivered.”Related... Lawyers For Harry Dunn And Epstein Victims Call For Exchange Of Road Death Suspect And Prince Andrew Prince Andrew Has 'Provided Zero Cooperation' To The Jeffrey Epstein Inquiry, Says US Prosecutor Now Prince Andrew Faces Losing His Armed Police Protection In Wake Of Epstein Scandal