Overview

• Birmingham City Council and Tower Hamlets Council have taken down St George’s Cross and Union flags attached to lampposts, citing safety rules, routine maintenance and streetlight upgrade works.
• The activity is linked to an online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours, which has spread from Birmingham to several towns and London boroughs and has drawn backing from far-right figures reported to include Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and Britain First.
• In Birmingham, multiple mini-roundabouts were painted with red crosses resembling the St George’s flag; West Midlands Police said they had received no complaints so far but would investigate any criminal damage reports.
• Organisers and local groups have raised thousands of pounds to buy and replace flags, with Birmingham’s Weoley Warriors reporting more than £10,000 collected through online fundraising.
• The row has widened into a national debate over patriotism, community impact and alleged double standards after earlier Palestinian flag displays, with residents voicing both support and claims of intimidation near sites such as an asylum hotel in Tower Hamlets.