'Anti-racist Union Jack' display cancelled - because it might offend 'minority groups'

The exhibtion was set to display Gil Mualem-Doron's "New Union Flag", a reworked banner "made using textiles from the UK's diverse communities", as well as two new flags.

It had been organised with high-profile campaign group Stand Up To Racism in response to the Operation Raise the Colours campaign - which SUTR claimed was "far-right".

Dr Mualem-Doron's work has been displayed at multiple high-profile galleries across Britain in the past.

But show organisers were told the event was being cancelled over fears of causing offence.

Labour-run Brighton Council boss Bella Sankey said: "Our libraries have been recognised as Libraries of Sanctuary, something we are very proud of, and keen to maintain.

"Given the fears that minority communities have expressed to me in recent weeks and months, there are particular concerns that displaying national flags could be taken out of their artistic context.

"Customers who do not or cannot read the signage could see the artwork of the flags as a statement by the library and therefore the council.

"As council buildings, our libraries need to remain neutral spaces and a safe space for all our customers."

That sparked fury from both organisers and Dr Mualem-Doron himself.

A Stand Up to Racism spokesman said: "When a public library in a progressive city cannot host a flag celebrating diversity, we should be concerned. We all remember that it is silence, fear and complicity - and not hatred - that is often the greatest danger."

A post on the group's local branch blog claimed it had been "censored".

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The artist added: "Two years ago, Brighton & Hove City Council commissioned New Union Flag works for a citywide public art initiative in bus stops across the city.

"Now the same city refuses to show it in a public library."

The infighting follows a months-long patriotic campaign to raise the Union Flag and St George's Cross across the country.

But in some parts of Britain, local authorities have stamped out attempts to hoist the colours.

Among the first to ban the flag was Tower Hamlets London Borough Council, the authority run by convicted fraudster Mayor Lutfur Rahman and his Aspire Party.

Its Labour councillors then successfully tabled a motion to officially brand "Operation Raise the Colours" "far-right".

Around the UK, councils have spent tens of thousands of pounds to take the flags down - though Reform-run Nottinghamshire Council pledged to spend over £75,000 raising 150 Union Jacks across 82 locations.