Esther McVey warned against meddling with the Union Jack after a re-brand by Team GB sparked outrage.
The Minister for Common Sense expressed her pride in the UK’s red, white and blue flag and called on people to “leave it alone”.
Ms McVey’s intervention comes as a new design of the Union flag on some Team GB merchandise incorporates shades of pink and purple.
The Tatton MP tweeted: “I’m proud of our national flag – can everyone leave it alone and keep it just as it is.
“British Airways tried to change it many years ago – what a massive mistake that was just as it is now with our British Olympic Association trying to tamper with it.”
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage also hit out at the updated Union flag by Team GB.
He said: “This is a step too far. Total woke madness that must be reversed.”
The British Olympic Association enlisted Bath-based design agency Thisaway for the re-brand.
In a post on its website, Thisaway said: “As with many sport brands, colour was a point of contention.
“Obviously red, white and blue is synonymous with Great Britain, but it’s far from unique, with nations such as France and USA also sporting the same colours.
“We needed to find a way of refreshing Team GB’s colour palette in a way that is both flexible and ownable.
“Rather than trying to look beyond the traditional colours, we decided to embrace them and push the iconic red, white and blue as far as we could.”
Team GB said it had received “very positive public feedback” on the new design.
It added: “Rest assured the Union Flag will feature proudly on the team kit for Paris, as it always does.
“This image doesn’t replace the Union Flag, which we will wear with pride later this summer.”
It comes after a row over an updated St George’s Cross on England’s football team kit which featured blue and purple.
