Tower Hamlets mayor raises Palestinian flag

The mayor of Tower Hamlets, in east London, has raised the Palestinian flag at the town hall for a second time.

Lutfur Rahman tweeted, external: "Palestinian flag flying at Town Hall in solidarity with #Gaza and in support of a #ceasefire & peace" on Wednesday.

Mr Rahman said the flag had been "ripped from the flagpole in an act of perceived vandalism" on Thursday morning but by Thursday evening the flag had been raised again.

Government minister Brandon Lewis said it was a "clear political statement on an area of public policy which the municipal body has no responsibility".

BBC London's Chris Rogers spoke to the mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman and Peter Golds, leader of the local Conservative group.