Mr Greer says: "Symbols do matter."

The decision to continue flying this flag matters a great deal to many of the EU citizens living in Scotland, he argues.

He insists the Tories are delighted this debate is taking place as they think they will benefit politically with those who want the flag to come down.

The only real losers are the Lib Dems who want to remain in Europe but will shortly vote with the Tories to bring the European flag down, he says.

The Greens will cast their vote to keep the European flag flying over this parliament, he tells the chamber.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Ross Greer says we are "long past" keeping the decision about the flag being apolitical.

It sends a message depending on your political persuasion or citizen status, he says.

The Greens will support the continued flying of the European flag, he confirms.

Mr Greer says the flag is the Council of Europe's, and as such relates to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Continuing to fly it sends an important message to EU citizens, he insists.

Image source, SP

Labour MSP Claire Baker asks if it really matters if the flag flies outside Holyrood after Brexit.

What matters is this debate undermines the SPCB, she says and she moves the amendment in her name.

The debate this afternoon is unfortunate, begins Labour MSP Claire Baker.

She says she regrets both the UK leaving the EU and the framing of this debate as a test of our commitment to EU citizens.

If this vote is won by a small margin and changes the SPCB decision, that sets a precedent for a narrow vote to overturn the decisions of the body Ms Baker states.

This will politicise the impartial body, she warns.

She accepts that while the flag is technically a Council of Europe flag, that is not how it is recognised.

Ms Smith says it is vital there is full trust and confidence in the work of the corporate body to work impartially for all members.

The Tory MSP says this vote sets a dangerous precedent.

Ms Hyslop insists it is for the parliament to make a view as it did with the Calman Commission.

Ms Smith disagrees saying what happened about the Calman Commission was an advisory suggestion about extra support required for this parliament.

She says the public neither wants or expects MSPs to spend debating time on flags, rather they want us to address issues around schools and hospitals.

Tory MSP Liz Smith says those of us who are still committed Europeans still wish the flag remains one of the three principle flags for the Scottish Parliament to fly.

"But we lost that argument."

She says as democrats we must accept we are leaving the EU.

Regarding the SPCB, Ms Smith says it exists to make decisions about the management of the parliament.

They "do no sit to make political decisions" she adds.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says this parliament is about to vote against a decision of the SPCB and that vote will be tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the corporate body.

Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani says that is not a point of order but refers the member to the Scotland Act and adds Mr Findlay can write to the presiding officer if he feels strongly about this.

He clearly does.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay raises a point of order to urge the cabinet secretary to take interventions from backbenchers given none have been given speaking time.

The deputy presiding officer says this is not a valid point of order and it is up to speakers to decide whether to take interventions.

Ms Hyslop continues by saying regardless of Brexit we will continue to be a member of the Council of Europe.

"Why should we publicly distance the parliament from that institution?"

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles insists the government is trying to direct the SPCB.

The external affairs secretary says it is not a step which the government has taken lightly, but it is not without precedent given in 2007 the then Labour government instructed the SPCB to start the Calman Commission.

Image source, bbc

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop says this debate is a direct consequence of Scotland being removed from the EU despite voting to remain.

Ms Hyslop also points out this parliament has voted to reject Brexit repeatedly.

She cites the "sense of loss" so many in the chamber will on leaving the EU.

Some of course will seek to say the government's actions are "purely symbolic", she accepts, but insists symbols are important.

Tory MSP Liz Smith intervenes to say this debate is much more about how this parliament works and not about flags.

The minister pledges to address this point later in her speech.

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs are to be given a vote on whether to keep the European flag flying at Holyrood after the UK leaves the EU.

The parliament's corporate body management group had decided to take the flag down at the moment of Brexit.

But the Scottish government has pushed for a vote in the chamber, citing the 62% Remain vote north of the border.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh urged ministers not to politicise the issue, saying the flags flown at Holyrood "reflect our relationships in law".

But a government spokesman said "symbolism matters" and that it is "reasonable to put it to a vote".

Read more here.

Image source, PA media

MSPs will shortly debate whether to keep the European flag flying at the parliament during the Brexit transition period, despite the proposal having been rejected by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

The Scottish government motion points out the UK will still be in the Council of Europe post-Brexit and "directs" the parliamentary authorities to keep flying the European flag.

With the help of the Green MSPs this motion is likely to pass and the SPCB will be directed to do just that.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

It was agreed by the SPCB earlier this month it would be lowered at 23:00 on 31 January, at the moment the UK officially leaves the EU.

However Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said there was a clear desire from all members of the SPCB that the flag flying policy should not become a political issue for debate.

All members of the SPCB, with the exception of SNP MSP Sandra White who dissented, reaffirmed the SPCB's position.

The Scottish government says it offered the compromise of flying the flag during the Brexit transition period, but that was rejected.