Martin Daubney has been left furious, blasting a 'two-tiered treatment' after a second council vowed to take down St George’s flag from the city’s streets.
"Isn't it incredible that in England, in Great Britain, councils are now taking umbrage at flying our own national flags to the point where they're physically taking them down?" he said on GB News.
His comments come as two local authorities have removed St George's flags that appeared on council property over the weekend as part of an online campaign called "Operation Raise the Colours".
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Martin Daubney has been left furious by the decision
|GB NEWS
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed it took down flags attached to structures without authorisation, citing its policy governing which flags can be displayed on council buildings and when.
Malcolm Farrow, the president of the Flag Institute, told GB News: "It’s a very curious situation. There are several elements to consider, and you have to take a nuanced approach.
"Firstly, I would not suggest that people broke the law that would be irresponsible. However, there is nothing more splendid than flying one’s national flags in the borough to encourage community spirit, cohesion, and a sense of common purpose.
"A flimsy flag, no more substantial than a headscarf flying from a lamppost, cannot possibly cause any harm.
"What I would suggest is that the council works with the community, acknowledging that people want to do this, and helps them do it properly and appropriately on council property, such as lampposts.
"I would like to see flags flying everywhere because they are essential for bringing people together under a symbol of unity. That’s what flags are a symbol of unity."
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In response, Martin fumed: "We hear all the time about two-tier policing and two-tier approaches. I put it to you, this is a two-tier attitude towards flags.
"In Tower Hamlets, Palestine flags are everywhere. It’s the same in Birmingham, where the council has also taken down St. George’s flags. They’re too afraid to remove Palestine flags. I put it to you that when you start taking sides over flags, you increase division."
Mr Farrow replied: "You’re absolutely right you should certainly not take sides. That is not what I am saying at all. I’m saying that we should start with our national flags, the symbols of our own nation, whether the national flag, a county flag, or a town flag.
"These flags are for the community, bringing people together in common purpose. They should be the first to be encouraged.
"For example, I’ve flown a Ukrainian flag for the past three years, and I will continue to do so until Ukraine is free from Putin’s aggression. Flags are highly symbolic and meaningful, but they need to be treated properly and with dignity. The council should be encouraging this and working with the people, not against them."
St George's flags have been attached to lamp posts in Tower Hamlets | XA Tower Hamlets council representative stated: "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."
Birmingham City Council similarly removed flags from lampposts in Weoley Castle, explaining that staff had been directed to clear all attachments ahead of LED street lighting upgrades.
The Birmingham authority emphasised safety concerns, noting that items on lampposts could pose risks to motorists and pedestrians.
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