Raising of the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew’s House: FOI release

Information requested

This should be treated as a single request and not aggregated with others. Please supply all items of information held by the Scottish Government related to the decision to raise the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew's House on 3 September 2025.

https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-03-09-2025 meeting=16548&iob=141259#:~:text=For%20the%20duration%20of%20this%20afternoon%E2%80%99s%20business%2C%20I%20have%20authorised%20that%20the%20Palestinian%20flag%20be%20raised%20outside%2 St%20Andrew%E2%80%99s%20house%20as%20an%20indication%20of%20Scotland%E2%80%99s%20solidarity%20with%20the%20people%20of%20Palestine

This should include, but not be limited to, all information in all memos, reports, advice and briefings for the First Minister and other ministers about the raising of the flag, including potential sensitivities and challenges; all correspondence related to the raising of the flag generated or received in the two months before 3 September and in the days since; all information about the source of the flag, including the supplier, cost, invoices and associated correspondence; and all information about the location of the flag now.

Response

Please see attached documents in the covering email.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information under this part of your request because an exemption under section 30(b)(ii) (the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) applies to it. The reasons for applying this exemption are set out in the Annex below. An exemption under section 36(1) of FOISA (confidentiality in legal proceedings) applies to some of the information requested because it is legal advice and disclosure would breach legal professional privilege.

All correspondence related to the raising of the flag generated or received in the two months before 3 September and in the days since;

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information under this part of your request because an exemption under section 30 (c) (effective conduct of public affairs) applies. The reasons for applying this exemption are set out in the Annex below.

All information about the source of the flag, including the supplier, cost, invoices and associated correspondence; and all information about the location of the flag now.

The Scottish Government purchased two Palestinian flags. The costs of the flags is £839.04. The flags are now in storage with House Teams in St Andrew’s House and Victoria Quay.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information under this part of your request because an exemption under section 33(1)(b), disclosure would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation, applies. The reasons for applying this exemption are set out in the Annex below.

In order to fulfil this request as cheaply and efficiently as possible, it is suggested that copies of original files are released in PDF format. I understand there may be a charge for this information.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500484291 - Information released - Annex A

File type

PDF

File size

169.5 kB

FOI 202500484291 - Information released - Document 1-4

File type

PDF

File size

3.4 MB