Labour councillor brands flag activists 'criminals, extremists and nonces'

A serving Labour council leader branded activists covering Britain in England flags and Union Jacks as paedophiles, in a jaw-dropping outburst. The leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Jeremy Newmark, used a council meeting last week to condemn the 'flagtivists' as "a bunch of criminals, extremists [and] nonces".

He condemned them for attempting to "hijack our national flag". The top Labour politician's outburst sparked gasps from opposition councillors in attendance, as he was asked to guarantee that the public displays of patriotism would not be removed by the council.

He was condemned by Tory councillor Brett Rosehill for "constantly linking our national flag to extremism", warning it could "run the risk of letting extremists define it instead of reclaiming it for the mainstream."

In response Mr Newmark blasted: "I won't be taking lectures on our national flag and extremism from a councillor that has the audacity to speak in almost glowing terms in this question to the council about Operation Raise the Colours.

"Operation Raise the Colours: an organised, orchestrated attempt by a bunch of criminals, extremists (and) nonces to hijack our national flag."

He falsely accused Operation Raise the Colours of being linked to Tommy Robinson, which it is not.

The movement began in August, sparked by grassroots opposition to both migrant hotels and attempts by left-wingers to suppress English patriotism.

Mr Newmark has since been forced to apologise for his baseless smears of the movement, issuing a statement of regret.

He said: "I accept that some of the language I used was wrong and am sorry for that. I also accept that some people have ascribed a broader meaning to my words and am very sorry about that indeed. That was not my intention. It does not reflect my views.

"My remarks came against the backdrop of false claims by Tommy Robinson that our council is paying to house asylum seekers instead of local residents."

"I'm proud to be part of a Labour-led council that expresses patriotism by building decent homes, by ensuring no one is left behind and creating good jobs and economic growth so that local people feel pride in their work.

"I am sorry that my remarks have been interpreted in the wrong way and reaffirm my pride in our work to promote positive community relations in Hertsmere."

In August a suspended Labour MP, Rachel Maskell, was mocked for claiming that the flag movement risks the "break down" of society.

The York Central MP said her local council should act to remove the flags, despite the local authority being one of the few Labour councils promising not to take down the vast bulk. She told YorkMix: "Over recent days, I have been inundated with messages from residents concerning the placement of flags and painting of the highways by members of the public.

"While I believe members of all sections of the community must be heard concerning their perspective on different local and national issues, it must be within the confines of the law.

"Placing flags on lampposts and painting infrastructure is not within the law. There is good reason for this. If laws are breached, societies can break down and we all ultimately lose."