Who warrants a flag at half-mast? King Abdullah or Leon Brittan

The Palace of Westminster’s flag is currently at half-mast, as is the flag on top of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Treasury. But who could it all be for?

Treasury flying flag at half mast for King Abdullah, as are flags across Government estate. Controversial pic.twitter.com/zSR6OPWCD1

— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) January 23, 2015

Could it be for King Abdullah, the Saudi Arabian monarch, who died yesterday? Under his reign, the country has seen a higher number of beheadings than those carried out by Isis.

Or could it perhaps be for Leon Brittan, the former home secretary, who also died yesterday?  In the past year, Brittan became mired in the historical child sex abuse scandal following claims he was handed a dossier containing details of the abuse allegations in the 1980s.

The flag on Buckingham Palace (Photo: PA)

A House of Commons spokesperson confirms to Mr S that the flag is indeed flying for King Abdullah. Westminster Abbey have also tweeted to confirm their flag is for King Abdullah.

The Abbey flag is flying at half mast as a mark of respect following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia — Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) January