A Russian flag which briefly appeared on scaffolding outside Salisbury Cathedral on Sunday morning has been removed after it was spotted by workers.

The move was labelled a “stupid stunt” by John Glen, the city’s MP. It follows the Novichok attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia almost one year ago.

Dawn Sturgess, from nearby Amesbury, was exposed to the discarded substance weeks later and subsequently died in July.

Lee Martin said he noticed the flag, which measured “about 10m long and 7m deep” while he was working in the area, the BBC reported.

“It’s disrespectful and it’s antagonising the community after the Novichok attack last year, and with the anniversary that’s coming up on 4th March,” he said.

Glen said he was “thankful” the flag had been taken down swiftly.

“What a stupid stunt – mocking the serious events sadly experienced in Salisbury last year,” he said.

Wiltshire Police said they are examining CCTV footage, but said it was too early to say whether an offence had been committed.

The UK government said two officers working for Russia’s military intelligence service – identified as Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin – carried out the Salisbury attack against the Skripals.