Gordon Brown nailed his British credentials to a Downing Street mast today as he abolished a decades-old rule stating that the union flag could be flown only on government buildings on certain days of the year.
The union flag flying over Downing
Street today.
Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA
The flag was flying over Downing Street today after Mr Brown, who faced down claims that he was "too Scottish" to become prime minister of Great Britain, said it will now be up to individual public offices to decide if and when they fly Britain's national flag.
Mr Brown told GMTV: "When I came in to be prime minister, I was looking at all the rules that exist. We had a very strange rule for decades that said you can't fly the union jack more than 18 days a year.
"It was because they listed the number of public events and on no other days would the union jack be flown.
"We thought it was a ridiculous rule. We've got rid of the rule and it will be up to public offices to decide if they want to fly the flag."
He added: "People are very proud of the symbols of what it is to be British. The monarchy, parliament, all great institutions including the NHS."
