The Welsh Conservative MP Jamie Wallis has criticised the Senedd flag ban and condemned the First Minister for allegedly calling the display of Union flags "vacuous symbolism by tea-towel [waving] Tories of 2021."
Dr. Wallis appeared in the Commons donning a Union Jack tie and face covering.
During questions to the UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the MP for Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr expressed his anger after Senedd members were told to refrain from displaying flags of any kind when attending debates via video call.
Last week, Llywydd Elin Jones imposed the flag ban after Janet Finch-Saunders, the Tory MS for Aberconwy, asked a question with a Union Flag in the background.
Ms. Jones commented that she had noticed a “proliferation of flag flying” and joked that she would have to fly the flag of an “Independent Tropical Republic of Ceredigion” if the flag-waving continued.
Addressing the UK Culture Secretary, Dr. Wallis said: “As many will know, the presiding officer of the Senedd banned the displaying of the Union flag by Conservative members last week, and yesterday the first minister Mark Drakeford described them as ‘vacuous symbolism by tea-towel [waving] Tories of 2021.
“Does my right honourable friend agree with me that people across Wales are proud to display the Union Jack because their pride in their country they live in and of what the UK stands for.“
Responding to Dr. Wallis, the UK Culture Secretary stumbled over his words and appeared unsure as to whether "four or three" of the UK's nations were represented by the Union Flag.
Mr. Dowden said: "Well of course I share my honourable friend’s pride in the Union flag. Of course it unites us as a nation, and a people, and as he well knows the Union flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom and it is so called because it embodies the emblems of four or three countries united under one sovereign."