Council offers support to staff unsettled by flags

There has been a rise in the number of St George's flags being flown in England in recent weeks

Council staff have been told to speak out if they feel "unsettled" by St George's flags being put up across England.

An email sent by a member of staff at Essex County Council said the flags may "evoke feelings of discomfort and be associated with anti-immigration rhetoric", particularly for "colleagues of colour".

Flags have been raised around the country and some mini roundabouts painted red and white in recent weeks.

A spokesman for the local authority said it supported people's right to fly the flag "with pride", adding the banner was flown at its Chelmsford offices.

The leaked email, first reported by the Telegraph, was sent by the Conservative-run council's children and families leadership team to its employees.

It was "not approved" and the issue had since been addressed with staff, the spokesman added.

In the email, staff were told the flag "may hold different meanings for different people".

It encouraged them to contact their managers if they felt "unsettled or affected by what you're seeing".

"We stand firmly against all forms of racism and discrimination, and we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone," the email added.

The St George's Cross is on show outside the council's offices in Chelmsford

Groups responsible for putting up the flags have told the BBC they were motivated by pride and patriotism.

However, others felt it was provocative at a time when tensions were running high over immigration.

Some social media accounts have used the phrase "operation raise the colours" to accompany pictures of the St George's Cross.

"Operation Raise the Colours" is also the name of another group that has encouraged people to put up flags.