The Scottish Daily Mail has published an apology after it wrongly claimed the First Minister cut the number of days the Union flag flies.

The newspaper, along with the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Express, both carried reports that the Scottish Government had cut the number of days in which the flag would be flown from the devolved administration's buildings.

It was sparked by a change to the devolved government's guidance to civil servants, which would see the national flag only flown on Remembrance day.

Previous guidance stated the flag would fly on royal occasions, meaning it would normally be hoisted 15 times a year.

It later emerged that the updated guidance was only mirroring existing practice, with the Lion Rampant instead being flown on royal days since 2010.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond said the change was made after he sought and gained the Queen's approval during an audience with her in 2009.

The apology, printed in Friday's newspaper, stated: "We are happy to clarify that the decision to change the policy on flag flying was taken and implemented by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2010.

"The protocol and honours team updated operational guidance in December 2017.

"We accept that the policy did not change under Nicola Sturgeon and that she had no involvement in the protocol and honours team updating the operational guidance on flag flying for 2018."

In response to the apology, Sturgeon tweeted: "Rigorous scrutiny of politicians by a free media is fundamental to our democracy.

"But when newspapers publish blatant untruths they do a disservice, not just to those they defame, but to the integrity of their trade.

"That's why it's important to challenge falsehoods."