Tamworth Borough Council said it must address whether to remove St George’s flags put up across the town in recent weeks
St George’s flags have been appearing on lampposts and other public property across the country(Image: Getty Images)
Midland council chiefs have revealed discussions about removing flags put up as part of the nationwide trend.
Tamworth Borough Council said a discussion would be needed about taking them down – but stopped short of labelling the displayed flags as ‘extremist’.
Opposition councillor, Samuel Smith, asked at a full council meeting whether it was ‘extremist’ for residents to display flags. It was confirmed that flags across Tamworth appeared to be on land and property owned by Staffordshire County Council.
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Council leader, Carol Dean, said: “I can’t speak for how people view the display of the St George’s and the Union flag as that varies from person to person. The intent in displaying such flags also varies and again I can’t comment on any individual’s views.
“What I would say personally is that those flags are part of our heritage and national pride. They are used at events when we come together, such as the upcoming rugby championship, crowds wave them when we have royal visits or when we mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth.
“So there is an element there of how we all come together around the flag but the personal use of them at the moment is not for me to comment on.”
Pressed on whether the council would remove flags placed on council buildings or property, the council leader said a conversation would need to take place.
She said: “We have had a discussion about the flags that have gone up around our area. They do seem to be Staffordshire County Council property, not ours. If it does come that they are put on our property that is a conversation that we’ll have to have.”