PM dragged into St George’s flag row

PATRIOTISM "will always be an important thing" to Sir Keir Starmer, Downing Street has said, after St George’s Cross flags were removed from council properties by two local authorities.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Flags have been taken down in Tower Hamlets in east London as well as Birmingham.

On Monday, St George’s cross flags were pictured on the A1206 on the Isle of Dogs in the east of the capital, after campaigners attached them following an online movement called “Operation Raise the Colours”.

BirminghamLive also reported flags that have been flown in areas of the city have been removed by the local council.

Asked what the Prime Minister’s view is on the councils that have removed the flags, Sir Keir’s official spokesman said on Monday: “I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels.

“I think he's talked about that previously [...] not least recently in relation to the Lionesses’ successful campaign in the Euros.