BBC bosses ordered me to pull down Welsh flag tweet, says Huw Edwards

BBC newsreader Huw Edwards waded into the broadcaster’s flag row on Friday after tweeting that he was “ordered” to remove a picture of the Welsh flag from social media. 

On Thursday, BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt found themselves in hot water after an interview with Robert Jenrick, the housing secretary, when they laughed at his large Union flag and appeared to mock his photo of the Queen.

Ms Munchetty later liked a tweet praising her comments but, following a reminder from BBC bosses about inappropriate social media use, she apologised for “any offence caused”.

On Friday, her colleague Mr Edwards posted an image of him in front of the Welsh flag alongside the caption: “Flags are now mandatory - very pleased with my new backdrop for BBC News at Ten”.

The newsreader quickly removed the tweet, replacing it with a post that read: “Gutted. My pro-flag tweet has been cut down in its prime. By order.”

While the BBC declined to comment on the incident, it is understood that bosses requested for Mr Edwards to take the post down.

Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, was said to be furious that the exchange between Mr Jenrick, Ms Munchetty and Mr Stayt happened on the day he announced plans to shift operations away from London in a bid to end accusations of liberal metropolitan bias.

At the end of an interview with Mr Jenrick, Mr Stayt pointed out his large Union flag on display behind him. "I think your flag is not up to standard size, Government interview measurements. I think it's just a little bit small, but that's your department really,” he said.

Ms Munchetty laughed and added: "There's always a flag. They had the picture of the Queen, though."