Peterborough’s ‘dishevelled’ union jacks to be removed

Unauthorised union jacks considered unsafe or “dishevelled” will be removed from city lampposts, Peterborough City Council has decided.

The move followed a request by Peterborough First councillor John Fox, a military veteran, who said the condition of some showed “disregard for their true meaning”.

In a question to Labour council leader Shabina Qayyam on Wednesday, Fox said he was “deeply troubled by the seemingly arbitrary and possibly quasi-political manner” in which flags were attached, “without permission or a proper ceremony”.

Qayyam said the rising trend of flying union jacks was “mainly due to a sense of patriotism rather than to create division”.

Fox asked that council officers “locate and remove these unauthorised and dishevelled flags that exhibit disregard for their true meaning, as a mark of respect for all those who have served and continue to serve our country”.

Responding, Qayyam outlined the council’s policy on unauthorised flags, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“The council’s current position is that we will generally not be removing any of the flags unless they’re a clear health and safety risk to the public,” she said.

“That said, where flags are significantly damaged or worn, or where it’s thought they may fall, officers will endeavour to remove them as swiftly as possible.”

She also noted: “Peterborough is home to many diverse communities and nobody should be made to feel unsafe or face racism under the symbolism of the flag.”