THE BBC has been forced to apologise for a "wholly disrespectful" blunder after the Irish tricolour was displayed at the Platinum Jubilee to represent Northern Ireland.
The green, white and orange flag appeared on a screen at the Buckingham Palace concert on Saturday when comedian Doc Brown spoke about being "proud to be British".
And the move sparked a fierce backlash online given Ireland has not been part of the UK since 1937 and became a republic in 1949.
The montage saw Doc Brown refer to England's "three lions", the Welsh dragon, and included both the Irish tricolour and Scottish Saltire.
The Ulster Banner, the unofficial flag of Northern Ireland, is regularly flown at sporting fixtures in the country.
A BBC spokesperson said: "The incorrect flag appeared in a brief montage during Doc Brown's appearance last night.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon uses Welsh festival appearance to debunk common anti-independence argument
"We apologise for the error, and the sequence will be edited on iPlayer."
Terry Brennan, communications officer of Limerick Council, said: "@BBCOne did you just include the Irish tricolour in a song about being 'proud to be British'. Laaaddddssss!!!!”
Another Twitter user wrote: "What's that about, tricolour. Since when are we British?"
Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland also hit out at the use of the flag.
DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell said: "The Platinum Party at the Palace was a part of what will be regarded as an outstandingly successful recognition of Her Majesty's 70 years as the Monarch.
"It was unfortunate that in a very short video clip during the event when the four Nations that make up the United Kingdom were visually represented by logos or flags that the Irish Tricolour was used instead of the Ulster Banner.
"Hopefully those responsible will have realised their mistake and will ensure that in the event of any future occasion where the four countries of the UK are to be visually represented, more care is taken to ensure a mistake like this one is not repeated."
TUV leader Jim Allister, who was elected as an MLA for North Antrim in last month's Stormont election, added: "Quite an appalling and wholly disrespectful blunder which contrasts with the professionalism of the range of Jubilee events."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel