Milligan, leader of the Labour group on the council, is reported to have argued that supporting Scotland could build camaraderie rather than create division. He urged the administration to apply “common sense” on special occasions such as a World Cup.
That argument will resonate with many supporters. National-team football is not an ordinary office distraction. It can create shared conversation across departments, bring communities together and offer a rare moment of collective celebration.
Yet councils also have a responsibility to consider staff and visitors who may not share the same loyalties, or who could interpret political and national symbols differently. The report says the council feared flags, shirts and other items might cause unintended offence.
The controversy appears less about Scotland itself than about where workplace boundaries should sit. A blanket restriction may feel heavy-handed, particularly when staff are being asked to celebrate respectfully rather than disrupt services.
The council says it remains proud of Scotland’s presence at the tournament. Schools, catering teams and leisure centres across Midlothian are reportedly still staging themed events, with menus, bunting and activities described as acceptable.
That creates an obvious middle ground: permit discreet shirts or agreed celebration days while keeping customer-facing services professional and ensuring nobody feels pressured to participate.
The debate is likely to return whenever Scotland’s World Cup campaign produces another major moment. The council’s next challenge will be showing that neutrality does not mean removing all personality from the workplace - and that national pride can be welcomed without becoming compulsory.