Ukraine flag removed from council HQ by Reform

1 hour ago

Lewis AdamsEssex

The flag had flown outside County Hall in Chelmsford since March 2022

BBC A general view of County Hall in Chelmsford. The entrance section is a glass facade, flanked by two grand civic buildings. There are four flag poles out the front, one of which has a Ukraine flag tied to it. — The flag had flown outside County Hall in Chelmsford since March 2022

The Ukrainian flag has been removed from outside Essex County Council's offices by the newly elected Reform UK administration.

A second Union flag was instead put up in its place outside County Hall in Chelmsford on Friday.

Council leader Peter Harris said it was a "proud moment", but in response, Tory opposition boss Lee Scott warned it could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics" locally.

The Ukraine flag had flown outside the building since March 2022, weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country.

It marks the latest in a series of early manoeuvres made by Reform, which ended the Conservatives' 25-year reign at the local authority on Friday.

It has already announced plans to scrap library reservation charges and threatened legal action to stop local government reorganisation.

Peter Harris was chosen by Reform councillors to lead Essex County Council on Monday

PA Media Peter Harris, wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and a patterned tie, smiles at the camera as he gives the thumbs up. — Peter Harris was chosen by Reform councillors to lead Essex County Council on Monday

Reform has previously pledged to only fly Union, national, county or armed forces flags outside council buildings it controls.

Harris said: "The replacement of the Ukraine flag does not diminish the support and generosity that Essex residents have shown the people of Ukraine since 2022, and I know this will continue."

A spokesman said there would be discussions with the county's Ukrainian community before finding the flag a new home.

However, Scott said its removal was "deeply disappointing" and sent "the wrong message", branding it a "performative gesture".

"For Essex to turn its back on a visible symbol of solidarity risks importing the language and instincts of pro-Kremlin politics into our county at the very moment our allies across Europe continue to stand firm in support of Ukraine," he added.

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