FALKIRK Council has pledged to “take action” against those who attempted to intimidate and stop its staff from removing flags from lampposts over the weekend.
Saltire and Union flags have appeared on lampposts across the town in recent weeks following multiple anti-migrant protests held outside a hotel, which is believed to house asylum seekers in the area.
The local authority said last month that its staff had faced abuse and threatening behaviour while trying to remove the flags, which the council says need to be taken down for safety reasons.
The National understands that several streets in Falkirk still have Saltire flags and Union bunting attached to lampposts despite the council’s pledge to remove them.
A spokesperson for Falkirk Council has confirmed to The National that the “unacceptable” behaviour towards workers for the local authority has continued and that they are working with police to “take action against those responsible” who are stopping the flags being removed.
A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “Over the weekend Falkirk Council acted immediately to remove flags that had been attached with no authorisation from its streetlights. This was for clear safety reasons in line with national guidance regarding unauthorised attachments to streetlights.
“In some instances council employees suffered intimidating behaviour from people which prevented them completing this task. This is unacceptable and the Council will liaise with Police Scotland to take action against those responsible.
“The council takes public safety extremely seriously. Unauthorised attachments to lighting columns present a clear and avoidable risk and will continue to be removed moving forward.”
On Saturday, the latest in a string of anti-migrant protests was held outside of the Cladhan Hotel.
Members from Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures, who have helped organise the protests, chanted slogans like “stop the boats”, “get them out” and the name of Tommy Robinson.
They also held placards calling for “mass deportations” with Union flags emblazoned with slogans such as “none in, all out”.
The anti-migrant protesters were met by a counterdemonstration outside the hotel, which was organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), with demonstrators displaying signs that read “refugees welcome”, “stop the far right” and “migrants make our NHS”.
Amongst the speakers was independent councillor Laura Murtagh, who represents the Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst ward.
In reference to the anti-immigration protesters, she said: “I do not believe everyone is racist over there, but you are standing with them, you are inviting them to your rallies.”
The groups were kept separate by police, and both played music over speakers in an attempt to drown one another out.
