Fury erupts as Labour-run council is latest to take down St George's flags

Labour-run Brighton and Hove Council hs become the latest local authority to demand the removal of St George's Cross flags from its streets. This week, flags have been pulled down by several local authorities including Tower Hamlets, in east London, and Birmingham.

The mass removal of national flags across England came after campaigners put them up as part of an online movement called Operation Raise the Colours. Brighton and Hove city council confirmed that flags erected along the East Sussex town's seafront would be removed in line with the 1980 Highways Act. However, Bridget Fishleigh, the independent councillor for Rottingdean and West Saltdean, later revealed the removal had been paused after contractors faced verbal intimidation and abuse. Ms Fishleigh told The Argus that Bright and Hove city council had said it had been making steady progress with the removal of the St George's flags but some people have put up new ones.

"The contractors have faced verbal abuse while attempting to remove flags in certain locations. As a result, they have had to cease work in those areas.

"The contractors are unwilling to proceed with further removals unless police are present to ensure the safety of their staff. Sussex Police has confirmed that it will not have the resources available to support this work until next week", she said.

Zoe Nicholson, the Green Party councillor and leader of nearby Lewes district council, claimed extremists and far-right radicals had "hijacked" the flag of St George.

She said: 2There are many positive cultural associations with the St George's Cross flag that should be, and are, celebrated... However, it is deeply regrettable that the flag has also been hijacked by individuals and groups promoting extremist ideologies, the very ones this nation fought against [in the Second World War].

"My hope is that the true meaning of the St George's Cross flag can be reclaimed by the vast majority of good people in this country, for the honourable and unifying values it truly represents."

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said it is "shameful" of councils to remove St George's Cross flags, claiming local rules were being enforced "selectively".

Writing for the Daily Mail, she said the flying of English flags should be "welcomed" rather than "seen as an act of rebellion".

She sid: "After years of politicisation by those who seek to diminish England's culture and Christian heritage, it is encouraging to see English flags flown proudly as symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism.

"So it is shameful that some councils have scrambled to remove them at the first opportunity, even in the lead-up to VJ Day, while leaving banners of other nations and political causes untouched. This is not about by-laws or policy. Councils will say they are enforcing local rules, but the point is they apply those rules selectively."

Mrs Badenoch pointed to the hesitation of some councils to "address the widespread appearance of Palestinian flags" as an example of "those using power to push a sectarian agenda".

She continued: "Suppressing the English flag does not stop division. It fuels it. If more councils embraced our shared national identity instead of fearing it, we would not be in a position where flying our own flag is seen as an act of rebellion."

In Tower Hamlets, where Palestinian flags have been flown for months, video footage has emerged of groups raising the Cross of St George. However, Tower Hamlets council, which is run by the pro-Palestinian party Aspire, has vowed to remove any St George's flags from council property, including lamp posts.

In a statement, the council added: "While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure. Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance."

Brighton and Hove city council has been contacted for comment.