Flying the Union Flag at half-mast following the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has caused some controversy among those who question the nation’s human rights record.
‘Flying flags at Half Mast on gov[ernment] buildings for the death of Saudi king is a steaming pile of nonsense. That is all.’ tweeted Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP.
But the Department of Culture, Media and Sport took the decision as a matter of protocol after a formal request by Buckingham Palace.
Upon command of the sovereign, the funeral of the ruler of an allied nation will see the Union Flag flown at half-mast.
Chief Vexillologist Graham Bartram discussed the matter on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning.
‘Just because you don’t like a country doesn’t mean you don’t have to work with them. You have to treat their head of state with respect.’
Regarding the Scottish criticism, Graham told Saturday Breakfast presenters Eleanor Oldroyd and Chris Warburton that it was ‘up to Scotland what they do’.
Saudi Arabia never flies its own flag at half-mast because it contains the Islamic Shahada – the declaration of faith.
Later interviewed on the BBC World Service, Graham commented that people were perhaps ‘getting diplomacy and their own personal feelings about Saudi Arabia mixed up’.
But could the government have avoided this problem?
Graham believes the answer is yes.
‘If we told Saudi Arabia we weren’t flying our flag at half-mast because it’s their tradition, they’d be quite happy with that.’
King Abdullah had ruled Saudi Arabia since 2005. He was 90.
