MP demands new minister to protect the national flag

ENGLISH and British national identity is "under attack", a Tory MP has warned.

- Christian Calgie

Andrew Rosindell has launched a campaign for the appointment of a minister with direct responsibility for protecting national symbols and flags.

The plan comes after recent rows about the rebranding of the St George's Cross on England's football kit, and the Union Jack-branded Team GB Olympic flag.

Mr Rosindell, the MP for Romford, east London, this week became the second Tory MP to call for a dedicated minister to fight back against Left-wing attacks on treasured national symbols.

Henry Smith, MP for Crawley and chairman of a parliamentary group on flags and heraldry said he was "fed up" with the "constant erosion of respect for our national symbols".

Consistency

Mr Rosindell said that the cost-free proposal would bring all decisions about national symbols under one Cabinet Office role, rather than being spread out between various departments.