Reform UK removes Pride Flag from Durham County Council headquarters

Durham County Council, which is now controlled by Reform UK after victory in the local elections, has removed the LGBTQ+ Pride flag – and the flag of Ukraine – from its headquarters.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ellie Hopgood said the decision is a “disrespectful, mean-spirited act” ahead of the city’s Pride in Armed Forces event on Saturday.

Darren Grimes, the council’s deputy leader, who is gay, defended the decision and said the party was not anti-gay but was “anti-tokenism”.

He said he was proud the council was flying the Union Jack, the flag of St George and the County Durham flag.

“Together, they represent every Briton, gay or straight, black or white, Christian, Sikh, or otherwise, who has fought, died, and sacrificed under those colours,” he said.

“Flying our national and local flags is an act of unity. Swapping them out for niche political symbols is just more toxic identity politics.”

Councillor Hopgood added: “It’s a petty and mean-spirited act to haul down the Pride flag ahead of Saturday’s Pride in Armed Forces event here in Durham.

“It is disrespectful to the Britons of all sexualities who served in our armed forces and many who gave their lives for their country.”

The council was previously run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and independent councillors.