Plans to introduce a controversial heraldic flag for the Highland region of Sutherland could be overturned when a committee meets this week to review the design.

Critics of the standard – which was chosen by a selection panel following a competition run by the Lord Lieutenancy – have branded it “ugly”, “hideous”, “communist” and “a budgie with a smirk”.

The design features a swooping eagle with three stars – known as mullets – on a bright yellow and orange background. The colours have been associated with the Earls of Sutherland since the 12th Century.

The process to formally recognise the flag began in February and was put on hold in March after an online petition calling for a review of the design attracted more than 900 signatures.

Leslie Sharp, who is behind the petition, said: “It's a hard thing to swallow that an unelected office has the authority to dictate the terms of selection let alone authorise the final selection. That type of dictatorial authority should be redundant in a democracy.

“A county community should have the final say on what flag represents us, especially since it will be our first flag and it conceivably will be there for a long time.

“I feel the people of Sutherland are being pushed around like a serf by an old and out of date authority. The people of the county Caithness got to vote on their flag so it’s a bit of a slap in the face that the people of Sutherland have as yet not had that same respect.”

The Lord Lieutenant for Sutherland Dr Monica Main initially defended the process, insisting it was open, transparent and democratic.

And supporters of the design, which had been approved by the Lord Lyon, say that the petition signatories represented fewer than five per cent of Sutherland's population.

However, petitioners against the flag won the backing of Conservative MSP Edward Mountain. He said: “I’m not a great fan of the design. I’m not sure it sends the vibrant image that I think that Sutherland should be sending. I would be keen for the whole design to be relooked at and for the people in Sutherland to participate in that and come up with a design that everyone would be happy with.”

The Herald on Sunday has learned that the Lord Lieutenant will convene a meeting this week to rule on the flag. Dr Monica Main said: “The committee should have an announcement shortly.”

Leslie Sharp, who lives in Rogart in Sutherland, said: “I am of course pleased that after so much of a delay the committee will be meeting to address the proposed design.

“What I would like to see is the people of Sutherland be given a choice. There can be one of two outcomes: either the design goes forward without the consent of the people of Sutherland or the people of Sutherland get to choose from multiple designs.

“If the present proposal goes forward then the people of Sutherland will have to reconcile themselves to the design.”