Reform UK’s candidate for London mayor has hit back at Volodymyr Zelensky after he criticised the removal of Ukrainian flags from town halls run by Nigel Farage’s party.
Laila Cunningham said “we should only have British flags” flying from buildings in the UK.
The Ukrainian President warned that “small mistakes can break big friendship” after some Reform councils decided to take his country’s flag down from outside civic buildings.
The local authorities have opted instead to fly the Union flag and other local colours.
“I hope they will put it back,” Mr Zelensky told the Guardian after meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in London.
“I don’t want to be involved in any political things, but you know, the world is so sensitive today. Sometimes, little, small mistakes can break big friendship or huge contacts.”
Responding to Mr Zelensky’s comments, Ms Cunningham told Newsnight: “We're a British country, you know, we can't have flags [for] all conflicts.
“I think you know we're a British country, and our public buildings should have the British flag.
“Doesn't mean that we don't support Ukraine in any way.”
It comes after Reform UK’s only London council has come under fire from Zack Polanski for ditching flying the Pride flag.
The Green Party leader dismissed the move by Havering council, won by Mr Farage’s party at the local elections on May 7, as “Trumpian nonsense”.
The borough has in the past held a Pride flag ceremony to mark the start of Pride Month.
But the new Reform administration shelved the plan.
Councillor Keith Prince, the new leader of Havering council, said: "The Council Administration is updating policies in line with Reform UK national policies on flag flying which sets out that the only flags flown on public buildings are the Union Flag, the St. George’s Cross, and the Havering Council flag.
He added: “The Union Flag represents our country and as such is inclusive of all our residents.
“The only other events we will be flying flags for will be to recognise our heroes like the armed forces and veterans who do so much for our country."
