Farage erupts at 'unbelievable' St George's flag message - as council reveals key detail

Nigel Farage has urged council officials in Essex to stop pandering to the "manufactured sensitivities" of anyone claiming to be offended by Union Jacks and St George's Crosses being placed on lampposts or elsewhere across the county. And the Clacton MP and Reform UK leader offered a scathing critique during his appearance on GB News on Thursday, saying: "You couldn't make it up".

Mr Farage was reacting after a leaked email from a team within the Essex County Council, which suggested staff might need “support” if upset by the sight of the patriotic symbols. The council, however, has since said the email sent had not been "approved" by the local authority. The council’s Children and Families Senior Leadership Team wrote to employees saying it was “aware of the increasing visibility” of national flags on bridges, trees and road signs in parts of Essex. The message claimed that for some, particularly staff “of colour,” the flags could evoke “feelings of discomfort” and be associated with “anti-immigration rhetoric.”

Mr Farage seized on the revelation during his What the Farage segment on the network, mocking the message for what he described as an “unbelievable” overreaction.

He told viewers: “I’ve got to tell you, as an Essex MP, and yes, I was in Clacton at the weekend and there are an awful lot of St George’s crosses. And yes, there are some in places they ought not to be. But I found this whole thing rather uplifting.”

He accused the authority of losing touch with ordinary residents, sneering that its leadership would rather fret about bunting than tackle real issues.

The email in question went further than many expected, declaring that the council “stands firmly against all forms of racism and discrimination” and was “committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.”

To that end, it offered employees the chance to seek reassurance and support if they felt uncomfortable with the flag-flying campaign.

Mr Farage responded by saying that instead of undermining a patriotic grassroots movement, the council should be proud of it.

He pointed to the growing popularity of flag-raising initiatives across Britain, fuelled by an online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours, which has seen residents attach banners to lampposts and bridges.

Recent polling suggests his instincts are not misplaced. A survey by More In Common found that 58 per cent of Britons support increased displays of national flags on public infrastructure, with particularly strong backing among Reform UK and Conservative voters.

Mr Farage went on to claim this showed the council was hopelessly out of step with the public mood.

He said: “Here we are, ordinary people across Essex celebrating who they are, and the council thinks staff need counselling. You couldn’t make it up.”

He concluded by urging officials to stop pandering to “manufactured sensitivities” and to get on with delivering basic services for taxpayers.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “We are supportive of people’s right to fly the St George’s Cross flag with pride, including outside our headquarters at County Hall, which we have made clear to staff.

“An email was sent on behalf of our Children and Families Leadership Team to their employees which was not approved and did not reflect this position, which has been addressed with staff concerned.”