Anger over Beijing Saltire 'ban'

Lee McConnell will be part of Team GB in Beijing

An MSP has warned Scots travelling to Beijing for the Olympics that they may not be able to wave the Saltire in support of Scottish athletes.

Jamie Hepburn, the SNP MSP for Central Scotland, said "house rules" published by the Olympic Committee appeared to ban flags from non-member countries.

Mr Hepburn said that as Scots athletes were competing as part of Team GB, only Union Jack flags would be allowed.

He has urged organisers of the games to clarify the rules.

The official website for the games states that "to avoid delays at security and to maintain an orderly flow, please DO NOT bring the following articles to any venue:… flags of non-members of the Olympics or Paralympics; flags or banners larger than 2m x 1m; flagpoles; any banners, slogans, fliers, brochures or samples".

'National pride'

Mr Hepburn, who is convenor of the Scottish Parliament cross-party group on human rights, said the rule was aimed at preventing supporters from waving the Tibetan flag.

He said that people who had travelled from England, Wales and Northern Ireland would also be prevented from waving their national flags.

He added: "Athletes from across Scotland and the rest of the UK will be taking part in the Beijing Olympics, and fans should be allowed to show their support by waving the national flag of their choice.

"With participants like Andy Murray often wearing Saltires on their kit as a symbol of national pride it will be a shame if fans are not able to echo that by waving Saltires from the stands.

"I will be writing to the British Olympic Association and the International Olympic Committee and urging them to challenge this ruling."