The SNP’s Westminster leader has been criticised for snubbing the national anthem – again.

For the second year, Stephen Flynn was silent during the singing of God Save the King at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London.

The Scottish Conservatives said his behaviour had ‘fallen shamefully short’ of expected standards, while the Liberal Democrats suggested it was a display of narcissism.

But a former SNP MP claimed his old boss was the victim of ‘manufactured outrage’.

Mr Flynn’s conduct contrasted sharply with that of First Minister John Swinney in Edinburgh.

At the end of a wreath-laying ceremony on the Royal Mile, the SNP leader civic and military leaders, veterans and the general public in singing the anthem’s first verse.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘While Stephen Flynn may be entitled to his republican views, given his senior role at Westminster he has a duty to show respect on a day like this.

‘Lives from all over the UK have been lost during conflicts and the service he attended today was a poignant moment to remember them.

‘His apparent refusal to once again refuse to sing the national anthem means he fell shamefully short of the standards expected.’

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine added: ‘I sincerely hope that Stephen Flynn wasn’t making a political statement.

‘This is a day of remembrance and honouring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It is so much bigger than any one politician.’

Footage of Mr Flynn, who became SNP Westminster leader in December 2022, showed him staying resolutely silent during the national anthem while other party leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey, took part.

It generated a backlash on social media, with users on X condemning his ‘juvenile’ and ‘disrespectful’ action and noting he swore an oath to the King in order to sit as an MP.

But Mr Flynn also had his defenders.

In an online rant, former SNP Ochil & South Perthshire MP John Nicolson wrote: ‘Manufactured outrage from the swivel eyed about Stephen Flynn at the Cenotaph.

‘I can’t speak for my Grandpa and Father who served but I imagine for them beating fascism meant freedom of expression and religion.

‘Only in tin pot dictatorships are folk told when to sing and how to pray.’

Mr Flynn also posted a picture on social media of himself laying a wreath on the monument.

‘Very proud to honour those who gave their tomorrow for our today,’ he wrote.

‘The democratic rights and freedoms that those who came before us fought and died for, remain the most precious thing we all collectively own.’

The row came ahead of today’s SNP deadline for candidate vetting for Holyrood.

Mr Flynn, the MP for Aberdeen South since 2019, has been considering standing for the Scottish Parliament in 2026, where he would be seen as a future SNP leader.

If he fails to put himself forward for vetting, he will be frozen out of the process.

The Sunday Times yesterday reported former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are unlikely to stand for re-election. This would not be unusual.

No first minister other than Alex Salmond has sought re-election to Holyrood after leaving Bute House, and he did so for his second party, Alba, rather than the SNP.

The SNP was asked for comment about Mr Flynn.

It came as Sky Sports issued an on-air apology after a minute’s silence was disrupted ahead of the Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Celtic.

As Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell approached the middle of the pitch with a wreath, loud booing was audibly picked up by the Sky microphones from some of the Celtic supporters.

Commentator Ian Crocker said: ‘Sorry if you were offended with the disturbance to the silence.’