FOR just over three hours the country was united around our television screens in nervous anticipation of an historic Wimbledon victory for Andy Murray. For just over three hours nobody cared about politics or referenda. For just over three hours we were interested only in an epic and brutal match of extremely high-quality tennis; hoping that our collective best wishes would give Andy Murray an edge.

If anything was to bring us back down to earth, dry off the proud tears and scrape us from the ceiling, it was the furore that followed over Alex Salmond unfurling a Scottish flag in the Royal Box during the trophy presentation. For some reason the sight of the Scottish First Minister waving a Scottish flag to celebrate the outstanding victory of a Scottish tennis legend was offensive to some.

In the time of constitutional quandary, have we become so sensitive that we can't use our flag to express pride in a fellow Scot? Was it the waving of a saltire that was the problem or was it the identity of the waver that was the real issue?

The detractors didn't seem to have the same problem with the saltire being flown over 10 Downing Street, or complain when Andy was invited to a reception there to celebrate. Inconstancy and hypocrisy can only mean one thing: that they object to Alex Salmond.

When Tim Henman played at Wimbledon there was never a shortage of English flags in the crowd. Quite right, he is an English tennis player. There were also British flags there too. Ordinary folk should be able to choose how to express their nationhood or nationality free from the encumbrance of censure. Playing identity politics is a dangerous and unedifying business.

Alex Salmond is the First Minister of Scotland. He was in the Royal Box in that capacity. He was there because he leads the Scottish Government. David Cameron was there to represent the UK Government. Had Andy Murray represented Wales, say, we simply would not be having this conversation had the Welsh FM flown a Welsh flag.

The saltire belongs to all of us. It doesn't belong to a political party, or a movement.

Making people afraid to fly a symbol of our country is fundamentally disempowering and crass.

Andy Murray is a sporting hero, we shouldn't lose sight of that, along with our sense of humour. I am not sure about anyone else but I feel absolutely buoyed this week and I have read with interest all the clamouring about ensuring that he is honoured.

If past precedent is indicative, it seems inevitable that we will see Andy Murray awarded a high honour.

However, how sad - in my opinion - that we do not have a civil honours system, removed from elitism, class, patronage and the monarchy. In the 21st century, it seems archaic.

If, however, it comes to pass, Andy will be the only guy on the ATP tour with a title. Will that be a boost, or a millstone? Only time will tell.