Oxfordshire County Council has applied for a High Court injunction to ban a campaign that hangs Union Jack and St George's flags on lampposts across the county, describing the activity as 'intimidating' and 'causing fear and division'.
Background of the Dispute
The Raise The Colours group has been hanging flags next to roads in Oxfordshire over the past year. The council, led by the Liberal Democrats, issued a formal legal notice in March ordering the group to stop, followed by pre-action letters to individuals in May.
Council Leader's Statement
Council leader Tim Bearder said the application is 'about protecting our residents, our workforce and the values we stand for as a county'. He added: 'This activity is not about national pride or unity. It is unlawful behaviour, which has caused fear and division within our communities.'
Safety and Financial Concerns
The council claims the flags create safety risks and have led to over 200 complaints from residents. Council teams, contractors, and residents have faced abuse and intimidation when removing flags, costing the council more than £16,000.
Legal Proceedings
The High Court has issued proceedings, with a hearing scheduled for June 23 at the Royal Courts of Justice. If granted, the injunction will prohibit further unauthorised installations and allow enforcement action.
Mr Bearder emphasised: 'We are proud of Oxfordshire’s diverse communities and of our Council of Sanctuary status. We proudly fly the Union Flag and St George’s flag at County Hall and we fully support the right of residents to display flags on their own private property. However, there’s an important distinction between lawful expression and activity that puts people at risk or intimidates residents in their own communities.'
