An under-fire Labour council leader is facing mounting calls to resign after calling St George’s flag campaigners “nonces”.
Jeremy Newmark, the leader of Hertsmere Borough Council in Hertfordshire, also described supporters of the Operation Raise the Colours movement as “criminals”.
The former parliamentary candidate is now being urged to quit, with Conservative colleagues accusing him of “forfeiting his integrity”.
An online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours was reportedly launched by right-wing activist Andrew Currien last month off the back of protests outside taxpayer-funded hotels for asylum seekers.
It consists of people displaying the Union Flag and the Saint George's Cross in public places to promote national pride and patriotism.
During a debate at a Hertsmere council meeting last Wednesday, Mr Newmark was asked whether he supported Liberal Democrats-run authority removing flags from lamp posts.
Tory councillor Brett Rosehill asked Mr Newmark: “You’ve spoken about extremists, do you accept that by constantly linking our national flag to extremism ... as well as many Labour MPs at the moment, that you run the risk of letting extremists define it instead of reclaiming it for the mainstream?”
Mr Newmark replied: “Operation Raise the Colours (is) an organised and orchestrated attempt by a bunch of criminals, extremists, nonces to hijack our national flag.
“Look at their string of criminal convictions, sex offences, and such like, if those are the people that councillors in the group opposite see fit to quote in this chamber, see fit to laud in this chamber and to see fit to use as part of normative political discourse – something is very wrong.”
Mr Newmark has since apologised for the remarks, saying it had “been interpreted in the wrong way”.
He said in a statement: “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.”
But the local authority’s Conservative Group has called on Newmark, who stood for Labour at the 2017 general election in Finchley and Golders Green, to stand down.
They said: “Our borough deserves leadership that unites, respects, and upholds the highest standards – not one that fuels division and disrespect.
Any leader who insults residents and undermines trust has forfeited integrity
“His words have had real consequence over the weekend, stirring hostility and undermining community cohesion.”
Lynette Sullivan, the head of the group, said: “It is up to us, as local leaders and Conservatives, to step forward with calm, clarity, and compassion to bring people together, not push them apart.
“(Newmark’s) words have had far-reaching consequences. He modelled behaviour that was not in the best interests of residents and must be held accountable.”
Harvey Cohen, the Hertsmere Tories’ deputy leader, added: “Any leader who insults residents and undermines trust has forfeited integrity. Hertsmere deserves better.”
And Alex Clarkson, the deputy chairman of Hertsmere Conservative Association, claims that Labour “bang on about diversity and inclusion, but only when it is on their terms”.
He added: “As long as you agree with them you’re fine. If not, you’re cancelled. Well, Conservatives won’t be cancelled.”
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m very encouraging of flags. I think they’re patriotic and I think they’re a great symbol of our nation.”
