Birmingham City Council has come under fire for removing British flags from lampposts while leaving Palestinian flags untouched over fears about public safety during their removal.
The Labour-controlled authority declared that Union Jack flags and St George's crosses recently displayed across the city posed dangers to drivers and pedestrians, prompting immediate action to take them down.
However, internal communications have exposed the council's reluctance to apply the same approach to Palestinian flags that have been displayed on lampposts throughout Birmingham for approximately eighteen months.
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The controversy has intensified as the financially troubled council, which entered effective bankruptcy in 2023, faces accusations of applying different standards to different flags.
A leaked internal message has revealed the council's apprehension about removing Palestinian flags without law enforcement assistance.
Cabinet member Majid Mahmood wrote in February: "We are taking these down, but we need the support of the police due to issues that have cropped up when we first tried to take them down," according to the Daily Mail.
The latest revelation comes as the council faces criticism for swiftly removing British flags while Palestinian flags continue to fly from lampposts in areas such as Sparkhill, where approximately 80 per cent of residents are Muslim.
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Birmingham City Council has come under fire for removing British flags from lampposts whilst leaving Palestinian flags untouched due to fears about public safety during their removal
| GB NewsShadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the situation as "blatant two-tier bias against the British people", arguing that the Labour-controlled authority appeared ashamed of Britain while celebrating other nations.
"We must be one country, united under one flag," Jenrick said, describing it as "a damning indictment" that the council seemed intimidated into requiring police assistance for removing unauthorised foreign flags.
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called the council's actions "shameful", noting they had found personnel to remove national flags on the eve of VJ Day commemorations despite being unable to resolve the ongoing bin strike crisis.
Sir John Hayes MP invoked Birmingham's heritage, stating that Joseph Chamberlain "would hang his head in shame" at the current situation.
The council lit up the Library of Birmingham to celebrate Pakistan's independence day | BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCILA community group identifying itself as the Weoley Warriors initiated the flag displays across areas including Weoley Castle, Northfield, Selly Oak and Bartley Green.
The anonymous organisers, who describe themselves as "a group of proud Englishmen with a common goal", have collected over £4,000 to fund their campaign.
Local historian Helen Ingram reported widespread community support, describing "an almost carnival-like atmosphere" and renewed community unity.
The council maintains that unauthorised attachments to lampposts create potential collapse risks, endangering those installing them as well as pedestrians and motorists below.
The Labour-controlled authority declared that Union flags and St George's crosses recently displayed across the city posed dangers to drivers and pedestrians, prompting immediate action to take them down
| XA council spokesman confirmed they had removed over 200 items from street furniture this year, including Palestinian flags, though some had been subsequently replaced.
The spokesman added: "People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.
"We (are) continuing to do this every week and would ask that staff doing this work are allowed to continue this work unhindered.
"Placing unauthorised attachments on street furniture, particularly tall structures like lampposts, can be dangerous – that is why the council always has to ‘stress test’ assets around any formal events or celebrations."