Contractors removing flags face abuse – councillor.

Contractors hired to remove St George’s flags from lampposts in East Sussex have received “verbal abuse,” according to a local councillor.

Bridget Fishleigh, an independent city councillor in Brighton & Hove, said the abuse forced workers to leave the flags in place along the A259. The groups claiming responsibility for putting up the flags have stated that they were motivated by pride and patriotism.

Others have described it as provocative at a time when tensions over immigration were high in England.

Sussex Police said the matter was the responsibility of the local authority and National Highways, who were contacted for comment.

The police said they were not currently investigating. “If reports are made to police regarding criminal damage or threats towards workers, they will be investigated and dealt with in the usual way,” says a spokesperson.

Ms Fishleigh announced on social media that some flags that had been removed had been replaced with new ones.

Eddie Mitchell

Several St George’s flags and graffiti were spotted in Eastbourne on Saturday, including one spray-painted on a roundabout.

Flags have also been erected in the Lewes District Council area. Council leader Zoe Nicholson said the St George’s Cross flag has many positive cultural associations that should be celebrated.

“Most recently, it was wonderful to see it waved alongside our victorious Lionesses during the European Championship final,” she told me.

“However, it is deeply regrettable that the flag has also been hijacked by individuals and groups promoting extremist ideologies – the very ones this nation fought against in World War Two.”

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