An MP has backtracked on claims about a “racist” flag following a story by a regional daily, claiming the newspaper “misrepresented” her views.

The Express & Star, Wolverhampton, reported Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith had criticised the Black Country flag, describing it as having “racist connotations” because of “white on black imagery used together with the chains” on its design.

The Express & Star also said Ms Smith recently refused an invitation from fellow Labour MP Ian Austin to have her picture taken with the flag because of the connotations, but she has since claimed her failure to pose was due to “parliamentary commitments”.

However E&S editor Keith Harrison is standing by the story, and a poll of more than 31,000 people on the newspaper’s website showed 95pc disagreed with Ms Smith’s view.

In a statement backed by the Wolverhampton branch of left-wing pressure group Momentum after the story’s publication, Ms Smith said: “I talked about some concerns which had been raised by my constituents about the flag – specifically the image of a chain, because of their historical use in the slave trade.

“I went on to say that I was uneasy about this image becoming the brand for the Black Country, on the grounds that it associates the Black Country with heritage industries, rather than modern ones.

“However, to set the record straight, I did not say the flag was racist. Neither did I say it should be banned. My views on this matter have been misrepresented.”

In response Keith said the E&S had received no complaint from Ms Smith about the accuracy of her comments.

He said: “I am entirely confident that Political Editor Peter Madeley’s story is accurate and I have seen his notes that prove it.

“For the vast majority of people in the area, the flag has quickly become a symbol of great pride and celebration of everything that is great about the Black Country.

“Ms Smith and Momentum are fully entitled to their view, but clearly it is not one most people would agree with.”