Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick has criticised Apple and Google for not including a flag emoji for Northern Ireland on their platforms.

The smartphone operating systems offer emoji flags for England, Scotland, Wales, the Union Flag, the Isle of Man, and the Irish tricolour. However, no equivalent exists for Northern Ireland.

Mr Jenrick said the absence was an embarrassing oversight that should be corrected immediately. He said people in Northern Ireland deserve to have their distinct identity recognised in the same way as other parts of the UK.

The UK government declined to comment on the matter.

Northern Ireland does not have an official flag. The Ulster Banner, based on the former coat of arms, is sometimes used as an unofficial symbol. The lack of an agreed official design may contribute to the emoji omission.

Apple and Google were contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of publication.