A furious row has erupted after officials unveiled plans to paint the England flag on Big Ben - but the union jack will not be added
Parliament's giant clocktower will have the emblem of St George featured prominently after a major renovation programme is finished off.
The move was announced just hours before the England team are due to take on Croatia in the semi final of the World Cup.
The authorities insisted the design is merely returning to the original Victorian colour scheme and that the Scottish thistle, Welsh leek and Northern Irish shamrock symbols will also be present.
The coloured emblems were originally paintedon the Lonodn landmark, but became balckened with the pollution and thhick smog which smothered London during the Victorian times.
It is believed that officials decided to paint the details black in the 1930s or earlier to save on upkeep - and they will be returned to their original glory for the first time in nearly a century.
But the decision drew howls of anger as the union flag does not feature, and nor will the Saltire, or flags representing Wales and Northern Ireland.
SNP MP Pete Wishart added: 'This is a welcome boost for Scottish independence as Westminster prepares to become an England-only parliament.
'People will, however, be forgiven for thinking that transition began long ago - as Scotland continues to be sidelined and ignored on the biggest issues facing our country.'
Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly member Simon Thomas tweeted: 'Well that's certainly telling the rest of us where to go.'
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 5:46 pm
and Simon Thomas 
the Welsh don't have a colour part in the Union Jack only Scotland North of Ireland and Wales is in with the England colour. The Welsh flag is nt that old either.