A Labour MP has claimed people who fly St George’s flags outside a migrant hotel in his constituency are ‘extremists’ who are trying to ‘mark territory’.
Clive Lewis, who represents Norwich South, condemned Norfolk county council for keeping the flags up after they were erected on lampposts near Brook Hotel, in Bowthorpe, last week.
The hotel, which has been used to house asylum seekers, has been the subject of protests and counter-protests in recent weeks.
Mr Lewis told the Eastern Daily Press: ‘Most people say they fly the St George’s Cross out of pride – and that’s probably even true for some of those putting them on lampposts.
‘But far‑Right groups are using these flags to mark territory and intimidate the vast majority who reject their extreme views.
‘I’ve raised residents’ concerns with the county council – they can’t look the other way when extremists use our streets to send an intimidating message.’
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer today admitted he would not want to live next to an asylum hotel, and revealed he has an England flag hanging in his flat.
Asked whether people putting up the Union and St George’s Cross flags could be considered racist, the Prime Minister told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I am supporter of flags.’
He added: ‘I am the leader of the Labour Party who put the Union Jack on our Labour Party membership cards. I always sit in front of the Union Jack. I’ve been doing it for years, and it attracted a lot of comment when I started doing it.’
The PM also said his family has ‘got St George’s flag in our flat’ in Downing Street.
He continued: ‘I’m very encouraging of flags. I think they’re patriotic and I think they’re a great symbol of our nation.
‘I don’t think they should be devalued and belittled. I think sometimes when they’re used purely for divisive purposes, actually it devalues the flag. I don’t want to see that. I’m proud of our flag.’
MP Lewis was told by police not to attend any demonstrations because his presence could escalate the situation.
Mr Lewis was part of a counter-protest at the hotel at the end of last year, when he said at the demonstration that some of those ordering for an end to asylum seekers being housed there were ‘racists’ and ‘fascists’.
A spokesperson for Norfolk county council said: ‘We’re aware of a small number of locations where flags have been attached to street lights.
‘While the council does not encourage people to put flags up on lampposts and other street furniture and does not regard these as long-term features, the council will not prioritise the removal of such flags over any more urgent highway activity.’
The number of councils vowing to take legal action to kick asylum seekers out of hotels has grown to at least 19, it was reported on Saturday, as mass unrest continued to spread across the UK this weekend.
Furious protesters have gathered outside migrant hotels in towns and cities such as Newcastle, Swindon and Falkirk after the Court of Appeal last week overturned an injunction ordering the removal of 138 migrants from an accommodation in Essex.
It comes as the Labour government has been facing accusations from senior Tories that it is ‘taking the side of migrants over Britons’.
On Saturday, more and more councils promised to fight back against asylum hotels in light of the Court of Appeal’s decision on The Bell Hotel in Epping.
Reform UK said that all 12 councils it controls should be exploring legal options to stop asylum seekers being housed in local hotels.
