𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A UK council has been handed a victory by the High Court, banning Brits from hanging Union and St. George’s Flags on lamp posts. Liberal Democrat-run Oxfordshire County Council asked the court to give them the green light to prohibit individuals “who have no consent or authorisation under enactment from attaching flags to highway structures such as lampposts and lighting columns and painting the highway similarly”.

Last summer, “Operation Raise the Colours” saw residents begin to hang flags on public property across the UK. The outcome means there is a restriction on flying flags on public highway infrastructure. It does not bar locals from flying flags on their own premises.

Mr Justice Dexter Dias wrote: “I have no hesitation in concluding that absent a restraining injunction, a substantial group of unknown individuals will affix flags in Oxfordshire contrary to the criminal law and the proprietary rights of the highway authority.

“There is also a strong risk of substantial interference with the exercise of OCC’s statutory duties and powers around maintaining the highway (including that it is safe to use), protecting the rights of the general public of access to and passage along highways in Oxfordshire, and removing unlawfully affixed or inscribed material.”

The Judge also noted that the council’s contract team tasked with removing the flags from public property “have to wear non-branded uniforms due to RTCO publishing their company name and information online and the ensuing negative publicity by the same”.

He added individuals have been “working in fear”.

An online post was included in the judgement which read: “An intimidating display would be hanging council workers from those same lamp posts. As a warning to anyone else who wants to commit treason in the country.”

The council said after the judgement that it had been “awarded an injunction to protect communities”.

The authority’s leader, Councillor Tim Bearder, said: “We’re pleased with this result. The injunction helps protect our residents and our workforce and supports our responsibility to keep the highway safe.

“This is not, and never has been, about the flag. We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George’s flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display their own flags – including to show their support for the England football team.

“However, the behaviour we’ve seen from Raise the Colours is nothing to do with national pride or with support for the England team during the World Cup. It’s unlawful behaviour, which has put people at risk and caused fear within our communities for almost a year.

“We have a clear responsibility to keep people safe and ensure our public spaces are welcoming for everyone. That’s why we’ve taken this action and why today’s decision by the court provides clarity and protects our colleagues and communities.”

The Express has contacted “Operation Raise the Colours” for comment.