Overview

• Tower Hamlets and Birmingham confirmed removals of St George’s and Union flags from council-owned street furniture, citing safety obligations and, in Birmingham’s case, ongoing LED streetlight upgrades.
• The flag‑raising drive, branded Operation Raise the Colours, has been widely shared online and reported to have backing from far‑right figures including Stephen Yaxley‑Lennon.
• Local groups, including Birmingham’s Weoley Warriors, have raised more than £11,000 to buy flags and equipment and vowed to replace items that councils take down.
• Activists in Birmingham escalated by painting mini‑roundabouts with the St George’s Cross, with West Midlands Police saying they had not yet received criminal damage complaints.
• Downing Street said the Prime Minister supports people displaying English flags, as national politicians accused councils of double standards and some Tower Hamlets residents reported feeling intimidated near an asylum‑seeker hotel.