Thousands Spent On Saltires for Indyref

The SNP government spent more than two thousand pounds on Saltire flags in the build-up to the referendum.

Between July 2013 and this October a total of nearly £7,000 was spent, but no union jacks were bought.

Almost £60 went towards an English one, though.

It cost £1,700 to buy the 71 Commonwealth countries' flags for the Glasgow Games this summer.

The details were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information.

Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said:
 “While the sums of money may not be massive, if it transpires the Scottish Government was purchasing saltires for referendum-related reasons, there will be some tricky questions to answer.
 
“Taxpayers’ money has to be spent responsibly, and I look forward to ministers setting out the justification for this investment – particularly when it comes to the saltires.
 
“The fact a Basque flag was bought will also raise eyebrows, as there are obvious comparisons between the SNP and other separatist movements across Europe.
 
“It’s no surprise to see there isn’t a Union Jack on this list, given the tone the Scottish Government adopted in the referendum campaign and its refusal to display the flag in prominent locations at appropriate times.”