MP wants 'Sorry' for Cornish flag grab

A Cornish MP is demanding an apology from Lord Seb Coe after Police snatched a Cornish flag from a torch-bearer on the Tamar Bridge

Its after Saltash as torchbearer Andrew Ball ran with both the Olympic flame and a St Piran's flag on the approach to the Tamar Bridge.

At first a member of the Metropolitan Police Security team helps with the flag but then instructions are sent to take the flag from the torch bearer.

Mr Rogerson has written to Lord Seb Coe to ask for an apology.

Commenting, Dan Rogerson said:

"When the last runner with the Olympic flame left Cornwall and set off across the Tamar Bridge, he held in his hands a Cornish flag that was sadly confiscated by the police who were running alongside. Despite a helpful policeman initially carrying the flag with Mr Ball, his colleague clearly received instructions to remove it.

"This incident has understandably sparked anger across the Duchy. To many in Cornwall, this sends out a signal that English, Welsh or Scottish identity is fine, but that Cornish identity is not to be accepted by the London-based Olympic authorities.

"I have written today to Seb Coe, the Chairman of the LOCOG (the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) about the incident. As a former Cornish MP I am sure he will agree with me that Andrew Ball and the people of Cornwall quite rightly deserve an apology."

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