Russian flag hung on church in British city where ex-spy was poisoned

'Stupid stunt' in Salisbury follows last year's attempted murder of Sergei Skripal in an attack blamed on Russian intelligence

Alleged Russian spies implicated in Skripal poisoning said they went to the UK to see the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, above. Reuters

Officials in the English city where a former Russian double agent was poisoned with a nerve agent last year denounced the placing of a huge Russian flag on the city's cathedral.

Workmen removed the flag early on Sunday from scaffolding on the side of Salisbury Cathedral.

Local MP John Glen, said the "stupid stunt" mocked the serious events that took place in the city. Ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned with the military-grade nerve agent Novichok in March last year.

Police said they were aware of the flag but said it was "not a police matter".

Both Skripals survived after weeks in hospital. British officials blamed their poisoning on Russian military intelligence but Moscow denied involvement.