SNP accused of airbrushing queen

The SNP are accused of airbrushing the Queen and Prince Phillip

The SNP have been accused of "airbrushing" the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh from a photograph featuring a group of Nationalist politicians.

The picture, which appears in an SNP newsletter distributed in Falkirk, instead features William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in the background.

Among those present in the photograph are Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson and SNP councillors.

Labour politicians in the town are demanding the SNP apologise.

The royal portraits, which have hung in the council chamber since 1964, show the Queen and Prince Philip in full military uniform.

'Political union'

Linda Gow, the Labour leader of Falkirk Council, said: "This is astonishing and deceitful."

She added: "It is a huge insult to the head of state and to people here in Falkirk. The SNP need to apologise for this outrageous snub."

This is another real insult to the Royal Family from the SNP. They should be ashamed of this fakery Eric Joyce MP

Falkirk MP and former Army major Eric Joyce said those serving in the armed forces would be "furious" with the SNP for removing the portraits.

He added: "Doctoring a photo in this way stoops very low.

"This is another real insult to the Royal Family from the SNP. They should be ashamed of this fakery."

Local SNP councillor Cecil Meiklejohn blamed an "overly enthusiastic" local party member for removing the royal portraits.

She hit out at Mr Joyce for demanding an apology of the party and said his comments were "hypocritical" when taken alongside the criticisms levied at Mr Joyce.

She added: "It is Falkirk constituents who deserve an apology from him in light of the revelations over his expenses claims.

"It is the policy of the SNP that the Queen remains head of state in an independent Scotland and that the current parliamentary and political Union should become a monarchical and social union."