Flag tussle looms after removal begins

RESIDENTS SAY 'FLAGS DON'T HURT ANYONE' AS COUNCIL BEGINS TASK OF REMOVING THEM

- By SOPHIE BUSCIMESE

DERBY’S residents have said they are willing to enter a “back-and-forth battle” with the council over the removal of St George's flags across the city.

Councillor Sarah Chambers announced last week that the council would begin to take down the flags on lampposts across Derby on Monday - a decision that was met with backlash.

The statement issued on September 22 pointed out that while the council was looking to take down flags on lampposts and other street furniture, they “fully support and welcome those who choose to fly these flags on their own property” and encouraged those who wanted to install an official flagpole in their area to approach their ward councillor.

The council explained the lampposts needed to be cleared “for future seasonal and commemorative events’, and that removed flags would be stored by the authority.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, is among those who have had a flag removed from their street. They said: “A flag I put up outside my house was taken down, so I went back in the evening and put a new one up.