Opposition councillors in the Labour party say the SNP councillors are showing contempt for British troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan by not flying the Union Jack flag on council buildings.

The Saltire and the council's corporate logo flag are permanently flown on council buildings with a flagpole at the moment, but the Labour party wants the British flag alongside them.

At a recent council meeting Whitburn and Blackburn councillor George Paul had a motion rejected by the ruling administration to "support our Scottish troops in the British Armed services" by flying the Union Jack.

The British flag is only flown on council buildings on special occasions such as Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Councillor Paul said: "I do not ask this council to make a judgement on these conflicts.

"I ask nothing more than that we implement the flying of the Union flag, which is the national flag of the British nation in our wholehearted support for all the troops who serve in the British Armed Services.

"And, also as mark of respect to the relatives of the service men and women who have lost their lives in these areas of conflict."

West Lothian's Labour leader, Graeme Morrice, added: "It is a disgrace and an insult to all those who regard themselves as both British and Scottish that the SNP and their so-called Action to Save St John's Hospital bedfellows have once again refused to allow the Union flag to fly proudly alongside the Saltire on council buildings throughout West Lothian.

"It is disgusting that the SNP's hatred of all things British has manifested itself into refusing to fly Britain's national flag."

Council leader Peter Johnston laughed off the Labour claims as "ridiculous" and said that the SNP actually amended council policy to fly the Union Jack more times than the Labour group did when they were in power.

He said: "In their 12 years of running West Lothian Council the Labour party never flew the Union flag except on Remembrance Sunday.

"We amended their policy to fly the Saltire – our national flag – every day, but also to increase the days on which the Union flag is flown by including Armistice Day, as a mark of respect."

"West Lothian Labour councillors are now trawling new depths in their ever more desperate attempts to attack the SNP. They are frankly succeeding only in making themselves look the fools they are."