A Reform councillor has been slapped down amid issuing a warning that hanging St George and Union Jack flags on lampposts "is not the right thing to do" despite Reform UK branding their removal "shameful".
Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Karl Perks took to social media to condemn painting of roundabouts in his ward and warned - in a post that has since been amended - that hanging flags from lampposts "is not the right thing to do".
In the social media post, the Councillor originally wrote: "Following recent events in Bromsgrove this weekend.
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Councillor Karl Perks took to social media to condemn painting of roundabouts in his ward
|"Every Englishman who flies St George’s flag does so with pride. Family, communities and country is one of our biggest policies as Reform UK and locally in Worcestershire we stand by that.
"There are many ways that people can show their pride by flying and showing St George’s flag – in your own front and back gardens, on your cars, in your windows, on community building where this is agreed by the whole community.
"Climbing up lampposts and attaching flags to them is not the right thing to do, mostly because it’s dangerous and any damage could cost the tax payer money to repair."
The post that has since been amended
|Mr Perks also slammed the painting of a St George's flag on a roundabout as an "act of vandalism" that would cost the County Council money to rectify.
In his unedited post, he warned: "And speaking of costing tax payers money, this is exactly what the illegal painting of red crosses on local roundabouts will do.
"This act of vandalism will cost our County Council money to rectify. As the Cabinet Member for Highways for Worcestershire County Council, I will be seeking criminal damages so that every other tax payer in the county does not pay for this."
The Facebook post was then amended to slightly soften his stance, which included a new sentence that reads: "There are no specific plans to remove the flags"
Perks told GB News: “There are many ways that people can show their pride by flying the St George’s flag – in your own front and back gardens, on your cars, in your windows and on community buildings where agreed by the whole community.
"Climbing up lampposts and attaching flags to them may not be the best thing to do, mostly because it’s dangerous and could cause damage."
However, the councillor has since been condemned by the head of the Reform UK Department of Government Efficiency, Zia Yusuf, who told GB News: "I couldn't disagree more with that.
Flags being raised as part of the movement | FACEBOOK"You'd have to ask him, but we couldn't disagree more with that statement."
It comes after Reform UK launched a "patriotic flag pact" as all 12 councils vowed not to remove St George's Cross and Union Jacks from lampposts.
In a statement, the Reform councils cite both flags as symbols of unity and inclusion, and have said that they will not be taken down.
The move follows both Tower Hamlets Council and Labour-controlled Birmingham City Council removing the patriotic flags that have been hung from lampposts as part of "Operation Raise the Colours".
A Reform UK spokesman described the removal of flags as "shameful".
Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage said: "Union flags and the Cross of St George should and will fly across the country. Reform UK will never shy away from celebrating our nation.”
Social media users were quick to criticise Councillor Perks statement, with one writing: "Your statement misses the point.
"People are putting up St George’s flags because they feel their pride and identity aren’t being recognised or supported. Instead of condemning them as vandals, perhaps the County Council could actually lead the way display their national flag across the towns and County.
"If Reform really stands for family, community and country, then step up, be the bigger man, and make it official. Don’t criticise residents who are simply trying to show their pride, support them, and celebrate with them. That would be true leadership."
The St George's cross has been painted on mini-roundabouts across the city | TURNING POINT UK/FACEBOOKAnother added: "Read the room Councillor... The nation is speaking..."
The councillor replied to a picture of a St George's flag and Union Jack posted under his statement, saying: "This is brilliant to see."
Leader of Worcestershire County Council Jo Monk told the People's Channel: "We are unequivocally proud of the St George's Cross and all it represents."
She added: "In Worcestershire, we are proud of our English and British identities."
"I of course support flying both flags proudly throughout the county. Our national flags are a symbol of our national pride, and I will champion efforts that celebrates our nation."