A London council has warned of “far-right agitators attempting to import division” into the borough, as it takes a stand against efforts to sow division in the community following a summer of protests.
Tower Hamlets Council passed a motion to “stand up to the far-right” this week after a series of summer protests over the use of the Britannia Hotel to house asylum seekers.
At a meeting on Wednesday, the council pledged to “reject” the presence of far-right agitators from outside the borough who come to “target” local communities during the protests.
While the council acknowledges that “residents have valid concerns around safety, security and equity,” it says those concerns have since escalated and become “entwined with far-right narratives under the banner of keeping women and children safe.”
In response, the council is now aiming to strengthen social cohesion — particularly on the Isle of Dogs — and says it will take a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of council workers, who have been tasked with removing unauthorised Union flags from public infrastructure.
The council also plans to expand its No Place for Hate team from three to five officers and to review how funding can be more effectively allocated to under-served areas of the borough.
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Alongside the protests, the borough — one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the UK— has also seen Union flags appear across local streets as part of the national ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ campaign, which encourages communities to display Union Jack and St George’s flags.
While some residents hailed the campaign as a patriotic expression, describing the removal of flags as “disgraceful,” others said they felt “intimidated” by the displays.
Campaign group Hope Not Hate raised concerns about the campaign’s origins, warning that it is driven by “racists and extremists” and cast doubt on the true motivations behind the initiative.
Tower Hamlets Council said on Wednesday: “This national campaign is led by far-right extremists.
“The raising of flags as part of an anti-immigration protest creates fear and division, especially when raised after dark by masked men.”
Anti-migrant protesters known as the Pink Ladies have emerged as a group within the wider protest movement.
Dozens of women — described as concerned local mothers, sisters, and grandmothers — insist they are “not far right, just on the right side of history.” They have vowed to continue protesting outside the Britannia Hotel until all asylum seekers are removed.
While some reports have claimed that the Pink Ladies are referenced in the council’s motion, the council has denied this, stating such rumours appear to be deliberate misinformation.
A spokesperson from Tower Hamlets Council told the Standard: "At its full council meeting, Tower Hamlets Council passed a motion reaffirming its commitment to community safety, cohesion, and standing against hate and division.
“The motion recognised the borough’s proud history of diversity and resistance to fascism, from the Battle of Cable Street to the present day.
“The council resolved to strengthen community engagement, particularly on the Isle of Dogs, support staff safety and uphold public order in the face of intimidation, expand the award-winning No Place for Hate programme, work with partners to counter far-right activity and misinformation and invest in housing, advice services and community infrastructure to tackle the root causes of division.
“The motion also condemns attempts by organised far-right groups to spread division and commits to protecting all residents, regardless of background, so they feel safe, respected and heard.”
