Proclaimers removed from King's coronation playlist

Craig and Charlie Reid's hit was removed from the UK government's coronation playlist

The Proclaimers have been removed from an official King's coronation playlist after they were criticised for their anti-royal views.

Craig and Charlie Reid's hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) was featured alongside prominent UK artists.

Last year they agreed with a republican demonstrator who shouted during the proclamation of King Charles.

The BBC understands the song was removed by the UK government following complaints.

The Proclaimers' management have been approached for comment.

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: "The playlist has been created to celebrate British and Commonwealth artists ahead of the upcoming coronation."

• Coronation official playlist picks golden oldies

• The Proclaimers bite back against UK's nostalgia

• This is the story of 30 years of The Proclaimers

The Proclaimers originally featured on the Spotify playlist alongside Queen, The Beatles, Tom Jones, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Emeli Sande and some other top UK artists.

The tracks were picked by the DCMS as a suggested street party soundtrack. The playlist is included on a website which provides information and ideas for marking the Coronation, including recipes and children's activities.

Charlie Reid expressed republican views in an interview with the National after a man in Oxford was arrested for shouting "who elected him?" during a proclamation event for King Charles last September.

The Proclaimer singer said: "I thought that guy spoke for me, and he speaks for loads of other people. Not just in Scotland, but right around the UK."

Symon Hill, who works for the pacifist Peace Pledge Union, was initially charged under the Public Order Act but his case was later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Proclaimers have described their song In Recognition, from the 2007 album Life With You, as a representation of "our overwhelming contempt for people on the left in this country who snipe against the royal family and then end up taking honours".

The King's coronation will take place on 6 May at Westminster Abbey in London.