East Renfrewshire Council apologises after letter to parents 'implied Union Jack flag was sectarian'

A local authority has apologised for any “offence and upset” caused by a letter sent to parents and carers which appeared to insinuate the Union Jack flag was “sectarian”.

East Renfrewshire Council has come under fire from MSPs over the letter, which was sent to families following an incident at a P7 leavers event last Thursday.

The letter, sent by the headteacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, highlighted the “use of the union flag with staff images” which “caused some upset at the beginning of the evening”.

“As a school, we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging,” the letter read.

“Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage.”

The headteacher added pupils were told that using images without permission “was not a good idea”, and stated that their actions “were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness”.

The letter has prompted a backlash from MSPs, who slammed the headteacher’s insinuation that the Union Jack flag was “offensive”.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay branded the letter “daft” and urged East Renfrewshire Council to apologise.

He said: “For a school to tell parents that our country’s flag is ‘offensive or sectarian’ is ludicrous and embarrassing.

“This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies.”

East Renfrewshire Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw said he expected an “urgent response, resolution, and retraction” from the council.

In a post on X, Carlaw said: “I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to ‘sectarian messaging’.

“Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland.”

He added: “Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.”

East Renfrewshire Council has since apologised for the contents of the letter.

A spokesperson said: “It was not the school’s intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the headteacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community.

“All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.”