A worker tasked with taking down England flags for the council in York "doesn't want to come back" and continue removing them, according to a flag-raising group.
Thousands of Union Jack and St George's flags have sprung up in towns and cities in recent weeks, including in York, as an online movement called "Operation Raise the Colours" has swept across the country.
Flag Force UK, whose members are among those responsible for the displays, claims York City Council has now brought in a private firm to help remove flags from the city's streets.
GB News understands people have shouted abuse at the workers, with one saying he doesn't want to return to work as a result.
Flag Force UK posted to X: "York Council has brought in a Hull firm to strip down our flags.
"Supporters spoke to the crew - they said they don’t agree with the job and don’t want to come back.
"This company should stop cooperating with the council and leave the flags."
The group has urged the firm to consider the "national interest".
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Flags sprung up on the streets of York last month
| GB NEWS"We of course, urge anyone in York unhappy with this firm to act in a peaceful and lawful manner," it added.
Deputy leader of York City Council, Councillor Pete Kilbane, said removing the flags will cost the local authority around £250,000.
He told the BBC: "It is not appropriate for anyone to attach anything to any lamppost who is unauthorised to do so."
"We will at some point have to start the clear-up, and that clear-up is going to cost in the region of a quarter of a million pounds," Councillor Kilbane added.
Flags have been put on display in towns and cities across the country as part of the 'Operation Raise the Colours' movement
| XCouncil leader, Councillor Claire Douglas, said many people are feeling "threatened and uncomfortable" as a result of the flags.
She said: "For many people in this country, the flags being put up are a symbol of patriotism.
"It is right to have a deep pride in our home, our city and our country.
"It is important that alongside this deep-felt patriotism, we should also be aware that flying the flag stirs memories for some members of our communities of their experience of racism and persecution.
"These are much more recent memories for those who have been the subject of totally unacceptable racist attacks or graffiti in the last month, coinciding with the increase in flags flying across our city.
"Many in our communities are feeling threatened and uncomfortable.
"Children have been racially abused by adults on their way to school, and council staff are being abused simply for doing their jobs of removing graffiti from our roads. This cannot go on."
Councillor Douglas went on to say flag flyers had pledged to be involved in community activities such as litter picking but were "yet to come forward with suggestions on how they will constructively contribute", calling it a "broken promise".
"We want to find ways for our national flags to be flown properly and respectfully, from flagpoles, the council leader added.
"This will involve flying them at full, rather than half-mast, and not upside down.
"The flags put up on lampposts have not been erected through the correct procedure, by seeking permission, or by using the correct equipment. This is illegal."
Flag Force UK set up an online fundraiser last month to help pay for the flags being displayed in York, which has so far raised more than £16,000.
On its GoFundMe page, the group describes itself as "peaceful, friendly and patriotic".
Joseph Moulton, an organiser with Flag Force UK, told GB News that the group wanted to make a "positive impact" rather than just "complaining on social media".
Speaking to the People's Channel last month, he said: "For us, raising the flag and tidying the local area is about mobilising the community, rekindling social responsibility, and restoring pride in where we live.
Flag Force UK Joseph Moulton said raising the flag is about 'restoring pride' in where you live | GB NEWS"In recent years, especially since Covid, the loss of pubs and communal spaces, and the pressures of the cost of living, people have become more atomised and insular.
"Combined with wider social and economic difficulties, it is clear we need to start taking responsibility for our communities and making a positive impact, rather than just complaining on social media."