By Dave Lord

REINSTATEMENT OF the Union Jack at Perth and Kinross Council HQ should be a top priority, a senior councillor has claimed.

The flag disappeared several weeks ago and rumours have been spreading that its removal was the result of a political decision taken in the wake of the SNP’s Holyrood election victory.

Councillor Alexander Stewart, leader of the Conservative group on Perth and Kinross Council, said numerous constituents had been in touch to express their concern.

He believes the flag’s presence at 2 High Street is “vitally important” and called for its immediate return.

“It has been apparent for the last few weeks that the Union flag which used to fly from one of the poles at the council headquarters has not been replaced,” the councillor said.

“I believe it is vitally important that this symbol is reinstated in order that we as a council send out a clear message.”

Mr Stewart insists the flag’s mysterious disappearance has caused eyebrows across the Fair City to be raised.

He hopes people’s fears that there are political reasons for its removal can be allayed.

“There has been some speculation derived from the Union Jack’s removal,” Mr Stewart said.

“I have been advised that it was not removed for political reasons and I am delighted about that, but I have sent correspondence to senior officials within the council to request that a new flag is flown as soon as possible in order to allay any of the speculation surrounding its removal.”

Mr Stewart called for the matter to be afforded a high priority.

“I have been advised that the matter will be looked into and if the new flag is immediately available it will be reinstated, or if one requires to be ordered and purchased then that will be done with immediate effect,” he said.

“I and others look forward to seeing the Union flag flying above the council headquarters in the near future.”

With the mystery threatening to take on epic proportions, a call from The Courier to the council press office got to the heart of the matter—and discovered that the whole affair was down to a gust of wind.

And we can reveal that a new, extra-strong and hopefully weather-proof, flag will be in place sooner rather than later.

“We ordered a new Union Jack because the cord on the old one snapped in recent windy conditions,” a spokesman explained.

“The new Union flag has now arrived, and we will be raising it in the very near future. We have also ordered a new Saltire which will be raised at 2 High Street at the same time.

“We have made some improvements to the Union Jack flag pole to ensure that the new flag stands up to the elements.”