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Lee Anderson has accused a council of “utter contempt” after it started taking down English flags raised by patriotic campaigners. Tower Hamlets, in east London, said St George’s flags attached to council property would be removed “as soon as possible” after they were put up as part of the “Operation Raise the Colours” online movement.

The initiative has spread to towns and cities across England, including Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, and Swindon in recent weeks. Critics took aim at the town hall, which is run by the pro-Gaza Aspire Party, as Palestine flags were not taken down for months after the start of the conflict with Israel.

Reform UK MP Mr Anderson said: “This decision is a shameful double standard by Tower Hamlets Council.

“To rip down Union and St George’s flags whilst letting Palestinian ones fly across the city is a kick in the teeth to ordinary Brits and shows utter contempt to the people they’re supposed to represent.”

The local authority previously refused to remove Palestine flags hanging from lampposts and council buildings.

It eventually bowed to pressure after Jewish families complained they were intimidating and divisive.

The row comes after Birmingham City Council ordered the removal of Union and St George’s flags raised on lampposts in a “patriotic outpouring”.

The Labour-run town hall claimed the standards could pose a risk to pedestrians and motorists, despite flying high above the ground.

On Monday, Downing Street backed people flying English flags but declined to comment on “specific cases”.

Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “I haven’t asked him about specific cases or specific councils, but the PM has always talked about his pride in being British, the patriotism he feels.

“He’s talked about that previously and he’s talked about it most recently when the Lionesses had their successful campaign in the Euros.”

A Towel Hamlets Council spokesperson said: “The council has a policy setting out which flags are flown from council buildings and on which occasions.

“We are aware members of the public have been putting up St George flags on various structures.

“While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure.

“Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance.”