The Scottish Daily Mail has apologised to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over a story claiming she had “decreed” that the Union Jack should no longer be flown from public buildings on the Queen’s birthday.

The story ran in the newspaper on Wednesday and also appeared in the Telegraph, which said Sturgeon had “ordered” the change to protocol, and the Daily Express, which said the politician had “snubbed” the Queen.

Sturgeon posted a picture of an apology that appeared in the Mail today, tweeting: “The Daily Mail has admitted that its ridiculous story about me and flags was utterly false and issued a full apology.”