'It's ridiculous!' Ex-Tory MP lambasts 'liberal left for being triggered by the Union Jack' in latest flag row

The event, proposed by museum director Nicholas Cullinan, would commemorate the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from Normandy to the 272-year-old institution.

But staff from both curatorial and administrative departments pushed back against the national colours in the event, deeming it inappropriate and "in poor taste".

"It has been brought up to the director as well as other senior members of staff that this is in poor taste due to the current far-right flag campaigns around the country," a museum insider told The Guardian.

Former Conservative MP and former chair of the Flags and Heraldry Committee Henry Smith joined GB News to lambast those pushing back against the patriotism.

"First of all, I think anyone working for an institution with the word British in the title should think very carefully about where perhaps they want to be working if they are uncomfortable with that," Mr Smith told Charlie Peters and Olivia Utley.

He raged: "I think it's ridiculous that people should be concerned about a red, white and blue theme.

"We should be proud of our national flag. We have a very proud heritage and history as a country.

"That flag stands for so much good both in this country and around the world.

"And really, we need to get over this obsession that some sort of liberal left individuals have in terms of being triggered by the national flag, which around the world is hugely respected."

But the chosen colour palette is also to commemorate the French tricolore, given the event is to celebrate the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from Normandy.

"It does seem a particularly bizarre thing to be offended about, because it's not even really about the Union Jack itself," Olivia added.

In agreement, Mr Smith continued: "Presumably those people who are concerned about celebrating the theme of the Union Jack aren't concerned about celebrating the theme of the French tricolore.

"That's how ridiculous those who are objecting to this are.

"I would suggest that many of the staff at the British Museum should be more concerned and spend more time on working against theft from the British Museum, which has been a real problem in recent years on some artifacts, rather than worrying about the color theme of a fundraising ball."

Asked about the staff's association with the national flag with the far-right, Mr Smith insisted that the national flag is an apolitical object.

"The national flag of the United Kingdom and indeed the constituent parts, whether that be George's Cross of England or the St Andrew's Cross of Scotland and the Welsh Dragon and so forth, all of those belong to all of the citizens of this country," he told GB News.

He further backed flying the flag on their cars and "wherever they want to" just as Operation Raise the Colours did, a movement which encouraged individuals hoist flags around their towns.

This year, Union Jacks and St George's Crosses alike have appeared on bridges and lamp-posts in what those involved say is a celebration of national identity.

However, the movement came under fire after it was accused of fuelling division and feeding far-right rhetoric according to critics.

Mr Smith continued: "I think [flying the national flag] is something that is commonplace in most countries around the world.

"Go to the United States and you'll see the stars and stripes flying everywhere, also across much of Europe as well. People are very proud, rightly so, to display their national flags.

"It should be no different here and this sort of trying to appropriate our national flag and be ashamed of it and try to assign it to the far-right. It's just ridiculous."

A British Museum spokesman said: "The inaugural ball was a landmark moment in the museum's history that secured over £2.5million in vital funding for the international partnership.

"We are excited to follow up this year's success with the Ball in Autumn 2026, and we'll announce more details in due course."

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