ATTEMPTS to get the Scottish flag flown outside the Guildhall have been scotched - after the Mayor of Worcester decided it was “not a matter” for city people.

Councillor Alan Amos has courted controversy by refusing a request to fly the Saltire at the top of the historic building, claiming it would be “blatantly political”.

Your Worcester News can reveal an approach was made by Labour leader Councillor Adrian Gregson to the city council this week asking to fly the Scottish flag as an act of solidarity before the crunch make-or-break independence vote on Thursday.

The request was backed by Worcester Green Party and sent to managing director Duncan Sharkey.

But under council rules the city’s mayor has the final say over what flags adorn the Guildhall, and Cllr Amos has refused it.

The decision has been heavily criticised by other members of the council, who say other local authorities have flown the Saltire and insist keeping Britain together is “the one issue” all major parties agree on.

David Cameron raised the Saltire outside Downing Street this week and councils are being encouraged to do the same.

Liverpool, Harrogate, Dagenham, York, Leicester, Hendon and Sandwell are among those to have obliged so far, although many more have done so.

But Cllr Amos insists he is “happy to defend the decision” and strongly believes it is wrong for Worcester to get involved.

Wyre Forest’s Labour prospective parliamentary candidate Councillor Matt Lamb said: “This is far too precious a subject and I fundamentally disagree that it would be blatantly political to fly the flag.

“At the end of the day this is the one issue all major parties agree on, what actually goes on at Worcester City Council pales into insignificance compared to what is at stake over the next few days.

“I am extremely disappointed and unhappy about this decision, if Scotland breaks away it will be terrible, of course it’s important for Worcester, it has implications for the whole country.”

Cllr Gregson, who leads the Labour group and first made the request, said he was “surprised”.

“I think the mayor’s out of step – I didn’t know it was his decision and it’s disappointing, we should try and offer our support as it’s the one area where all parties have a common agreement,” he said.

Cllr Neil Laurenson, Worcester’s lone Green politician, is half-Scottish and used to live in Aberdeen.

“I can see how if we did it, it would create a precedent – so I understand the argument about not getting involved,” he said.

“I am surprised though, I did think he’d allow it given the unity over the Better Together campaign.”

But Cllr Amos said: “This is a matter for the Scottish people, we won’t be doing it and I am happy to defend the decision.

“To do so would be blatantly political – this is not a matter for local government, it is a matter for the people of Scotland.”

Councillor Simon Geraghty, city council leader said: “This is a matter for the mayor, the decision is up to him and I wouldn’t want to get involved.

“But I am very pro-union, it has stood the test of time and if Scotland does go it would have serious implications.”

What do you think? E-mail te@worcesternews.co.uk or call 01905 742248.

WHAT PEOPLE IN WORCESTER SAY

PEOPLE around the city yesterday had split views on the decision - despite strong support for Scotland to stay put.

Retired electrical engineer Norman Smith, 81, from Powick, said: “I think we need to do whatever it takes to show we want Scotland in the UK.

“If they pull out, then maybe Wales and Northern Ireland might do the same thing.”

London Road resident Colin Hancocks, 73, a retired engineer, said: “Let Scotland sort themselves out.

“It’s nothing to do with us, I don’t want us to be flying the Scottish flag.”

Former nursery nurse Sylvia Hinksman, 69, from Bromyard, said: “I don’t think we can do anything to change what’s going to happen.

“Scottish people will do what they want.”

Self-employed Jordan Graham, 21, from Lansdowne, said: “I can’t see flying a flag in Worcester making much of a difference.

“But I think if Scotland does vote for independence they might be in big trouble.”

Clare Williams, 44, who works for an engineering company, said: “I think we should be supporting and encouraging Scotland to stay in the UK.

“If they leave it could cause all sorts of trouble and it’s like ‘united we stand, divided we fall’.”