MANCHESTER is the latest council that has refused government orders to fly the Union Jack to celebrate Prince Andrew’s birthday.

The Labour council has joined Liverpool in ignoring official directives to mark the Prince’s 60th birthday on February 19.

In response to Liverpool’s refusal to fly the flag today, Manchester Labour councillor Garry Bridges said: “A pretty outrageous request. I would hope — and assume — that we in Manchester won’t either."

The possibility of Manchester flying the flag provoked outrage from locals. Community group Rebel Cities even posted on its Facebook page: “The only thing that should be run up that flagpole is a noose.”

Shortly afterwards, council leader Richard Leese responded: “It’s a definite no.”

The prince has stoked anger over his links to convicted paedophile and child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who died last summer.

A car crash interview with Emily Maitlis in December 2019 led to him formally stepping down from all public roles.