A Pride flag flown over a Cambridgeshire council building has been taken down following a challenge from Reform UK councillors - sparking anger after widely criticised comments linking the banner to paedophilia.
The Progress Pride flag, which represents LGBTQ+ communities including trans people and people of colour, was removed from Huntingdonshire District Council’s headquarters after it emerged planning permission had not been formally secured.
But the row has been driven less by the technical issue than by remarks from Reform UK group leader Ryan Coogan, who described the flag as “divisive” and went on to suggest it was associated with “paedophile behaviour” - claims that have been widely condemned as baseless and harmful.
Council leaders moved swiftly to distance themselves from those comments. Chairman Stephen Ferguson said he was “deeply disappointed” the flag had to be taken down, but stressed that the issue was purely procedural.
“I want to be absolutely clear that I unequivocally stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community,” he said. “The Progress Pride flag represents inclusion, dignity and support for LGBTQ+ residents across our district.”
He added that attempts to link the flag to paedophilia were “offensive, dangerous and wholly unacceptable”, warning against “conspiracy tropes” targeting minority communities.
Cllr Coogan has subsequently called for Chairman Ferguson to resign for "flying his divisive flag", and "seriously consider whether he can continue as Chair of Huntingdonshire District Council".
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