Leader urges people to be 'sensible' with flags

Flags have appeared on a roundabout near Eltham Drive in Nottingham

The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has urged people to be sensible when putting up flags across the county.

Flags have appeared across Nottinghamshire in recent days on roundabouts, bridges and lamp-posts.

Mick Barton, who leads the Reform-run authority, said it would not be removing flags.

He added: "We know there is a lot of patriotism about and we are just asking people to be sensible."

'Relax a little'

The flag movement gathered pace on social media, with the name Operation Raise the Flags, with those behind it saying they were motivated by pride and patriotism.

Others have expressed discomfort due to tensions running high across England over immigration and the St George cross often being used to promote far-right groups.

Barton added: "We don't want to see thousands of flags on every lamp-post.

"I am doing a piece of work over the next few weeks to address that situation to see if we can help that situation.

"I would like people to relax a little bit for a few weeks and then I will come out with an option that will please everybody.

"If you look at the law, defacing a piece of council property could carry a FPN [fixed penalty notice].

"I'm not saying we're going to do that, but let's just be sensible and speak to us before doing anything."

Mick Barton leads the Reform-run Nottinghamshire County Council

Barton said people were feeling "disgruntled" by the Labour government's handling of illegal migrants.

He added: "People are fed-up and this is showing the power of the people. They have had enough."

Sam Smith, Conservative leader of the opposition on the county council, said: "I enjoy driving around the county and seeing our flags flying proudly.

"You go to other places in Europe and there are flags on every state building.

"It's good to be patriotic if it's done safely."

Labour-run Nottingham City Council said it would not remove flags "unless there is a reason to do so".

A spokesperson said a flag would be removed "if they are causing an obstruction or other safety issue or if offensive language has been used".

They added: "The city retains the largest St George's flag in the country which it will continue to fly with pride on days of national celebration."