Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney made an embarrassing mistake when discussing the Union flag as he rejected calls to fly it more than once a year on Scottish government buildings.

Swinney backed letting the European Union flag, which stays up all year round, have priority over the Union flag, which he was previously called "petty" for.

He told the Scottish Daily Express: "The EU flag is flown on days when it's appropriate for that to be the case, and the European flag represents the continued desire and aspiration for Scotland to be viewed as part of the European firmament of nations.

"I think it indicates our aspirations to be connected with the European Union and to see Scotland's natural place within Europe.

"The Union flag is flown on days where it is appropriate and important to do that, and most of those, if my memory serves me right, will be flown on days connected with His Majesty the King as it is appropriate to do so."

But this is incorrect as the Union flag is only flown once a year above St Andrews House, the main HQ of the Nationalist Executive, on Remembrance Day.

Nicola Sturgeon implemented this rule when she became First Minister, and it was continued by Hamza Yousaf. Swinney has ordered it to be kept, despite Scotland not being in the EU.

When asked if he would be willing to fly the Union flag more, he said: "I think we're doing the right thing, which is flying the Union flag when it's appropriate to do so in respect of His Majesty the King."

The First Minister was also asked about Scottish independence and how long it would take the county to re-join the EU after he claimed his party would be able to achieve this.

He did not confirm how long this would take, but his officials estimated it could be roughly a decade. Swinney said: "The best answer I can give you is that this would be subject to negotiation and there is certainly a goodwill on our part and I suspect that there would be on the European Union's part as well."

The emblem of the Union flag is also included on the flag flown on Armed Forces Day and Merchant Navy Day. Royal birthdays and occasions are marked by the flying of the Royal Banner (superior) - a yellow flag with a red lion in the centre.