Lewisham Council removes Progress Pride flag following complaint from “Christian political candidate” Maureen Martin and “evangelical organisation” Christian Concern

Lewisham Council in London has been forced to remove a Progress Pride flag from its Town Hall following a complaint lodged by “Christian political candidate” Maureen Martin, who accused the council of violating the Local Government Act by displaying the flag during an election period.

Martin was supported by evangelical organisation Christian Concern, whose legal arm, Christian Legal Centre, stated that the flag was displayed without planning permission at the Town Hall in Catford, South London.

According to the lawyers, by flying the flag the council was perceived to be endorsing political parties advocating for expanded rights for trans-identified individuals and related identities during an election period. They demanded that the council not only remove the flags but also ensure they are not displayed during future election periods and refrain from supporting the ideological causes represented by the flag.

In response to the legal challenge, a council representative stated that the flag had been taken down. However, that’s not quite enough for Christian Concern, which now has its eyes on other local authorities such as Reading and Bournemouth, which continue to display the Progress Pride flag.

Martin criticised the widespread display of the Progress Pride flag, particularly during the month of June, arguing that the underlying ideology has negatively impacted vulnerable children.

“Greater awareness must be urgently raised about what these flags stand for, and public authorities flying them must be brought to account,” Martin said.

In May, over 30,000 people signed a petition protesting plans to display Progress Pride within the jurisdiction of the Westminster City Council.