Council 'We'll keep flags up if they're not a safety risk'

BRISTOL City Council leaders have reaffirmed their stance not to routinely remove Union and St George flags from lampposts and other public places if they are not a safety hazard.

- Adam POSTANS

The commitment to treat each one on a case-by-case basis came in reply to concerns from Bedminster ward Green Cllr Ellie Freeman who said flags left up in West Street, Duckmoor Road and Luckwell Road had created an "atmosphere of threat and worry" from extreme right-wingers.

Bristol's policy is at odds with South Gloucestershire Council whose leaders last month said they would remove unauthorised flags and graffiti from public spaces to ensure they remained safe and welcoming for everyone after reports that some people used them in ways that felt "intimidating or divisive".

The neighbouring authority's position sparked a protest by about 30 flag-waving campaigners from a group called Bristol Patriots outside the council's headquarters in Yate on Tuesday who insisted they were not “racist thugs”.