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The Latest Breaking News from St George

The nuance of flags – why one symbol can have many meanings

Across England, flags are visible like never before. They are being hoisted on lamp-posts. Hastily painted representations of the St George’s flag, typically little more than a couple of red lines painted on an available white background, are popping up on mini-roundabouts and other surfaces.

The Conversation

St George’s cross appears on Westbury white horse monument

Wiltshire landmark assessed for damage after red fabric pinned across it to form England flag

The Guardian - UK

Tuchel may scorn politics, but his England team cannot escape their symbolism

As toxic nationalism spills over into our shared spaces, the England shirt is freighted with meaning for better or worse

The Guardian - UK

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How flying a flag can take on a whole new meaning

Letters: Cllr Phil Davis says the St George’s flag is being used in a far-right attempt at intimidation, while Neil Knowles says it no longer means what it used to. Plus letters from Lorna Walker and Nelson A Rocha

The Guardian - UK

Spraying of St George's Cross on clothes bank outside mosque being investigated by police as 'hate crime'

The first St George’s Cross was removed, but another was sprayed on the bank and reported to police the same day

Evening Standard

Yvette Cooper encourages public to fly St George’s flag ‘anywhere’ as she does at home

Yvette Cooper has revealed that she has Union Jack and St George’s flags scattered around her home, and has encouraged Britons to display the emblems, saying people should “put them up anywhere”.

The Independent UK

Yvette Cooper boasts of having Union Jack bunting, flags and tablecloths

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has boasted of owning Union Jack and St George's flag "bunting and tablecloths"

The National (Scotland)

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UK Muslims report vandalism, attacks amid controversial flag campaign

Agitators target a mosque and assault Muslims as the St George flag is flown widely following anti-immigration protests.

Al Jazeera

Is flying the St George’s cross a sign of racism or patriotism?

Letters: One reader has been subjected to racist abuse, another says there is nothing wrong in expressing affection for one’s country. Plus letters fom Jane Ryan, Michael Pyke and Hugh Coolican

The Guardian - UK

Reform UK council removes St George’s flags and bunting over public safety fears

Durham County Council is removing the display of St George’s Cross and the Union flag over fears it could compromise public safety

The Independent UK

Reform UK council removes St George and union flags over safety fears

Durham council says strong rope on bunting was found to be a risk, amid controversy over flag-flying across England

The Guardian - UK

Fact check: Photograph of St George’s Cross is from 11 years ago

A photograph taken by a PA news agency photographer has been recently shared on social media.

Evening Standard

Voices: The prevalence of England’s flag is a ghastly reminder of the National Front

COMMENT: Ever since far-right and nationalist parties co-opted the St George’s flag, its presence has become a shorthand for ‘You’re not wanted here’, writes Sharan Dhaliwal

The Independent UK

Kemi Badenoch: It is shameful of councils to remove St George’s Cross flags

The Conservative leader said the flying of English flags should be ‘welcomed’, rather than ‘seen as an act of rebellion’.

Evening Standard

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The Independent UK

From patriotic to racist – can the England flag ever be reclaimed?

IN FOCUS: A group raising money to get every lamp post in their village adorned with the ‘beautiful’ St George’s flag has been met with backlash. Helen Coffey asks whether the far right’s commandeering of our national symbol means it’s forever tainted

The Independent UK

Voices: ‘This is not patriotism’: Readers clash over St George’s Cross flag displays

YOUR VIEWS: Readers are divided over the wave of St George’s Cross flags and graffiti in Birmingham – with some calling it vandalism and hijacking, while others see it as a show of pride and unity

The Guardian - UK

What does a true Brit feel when we commemorate the war or fly the St George flag? Depends on the Brit

Politicians love a single, unifying narrative, but it’s more complicated for those of us who see UK life and history through a different lens, says author and broadcaster Mihir Bose

The Guardian - UK

‘Don’t call this racist’: row grows over motives behind England flag campaign

Organisers say they are just being patriotic but some suspect far right is behind ‘dangerous’ lamp-post movement

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Evening Standard

Tower Hamlets residents divided over St George's flags as some left ‘intimidated’ while others hit out at ‘disgraceful’ removal

Flags have been removed in Tower Hamlets after St George's flags were hung over the weekend

Evening Standard

OPINION - Hang on... why is it okay to take down English flags but not Palestinian ones?

Sir Keir Starmer may lack popular appeal but he’s not silly. That’s why he has declared his support for the St George’s flag in the row about two councils in Muslim-majority areas, the latest Tower Hamlets, taking down both the English flag and the Union Jack.

The Independent UK

Why are St George’s flags being put up and roundabouts painted and why is it controversial?

Red crosses believed to be part of ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ online movement backed by far-right figures

The Independent UK

Roundabouts graffitied with St George’s Cross amid row over flags on lamp posts

At least six mini-roundabouts in the Birmingham area have been painted with red crosses

The Independent UK

Voices: Raising flags only divides communities – just ask Northern Ireland

COMMENT: Flags of every stripe – St George, Palestine, rainbow… – are routinely being tied to lamp posts across the country, only to be taken down by beleaguered council workers. Is this a warning sign of a society going mad, asks Sean O’Grady

The Independent UK

Second council removes St George’s flags hung by locals for maintenance

Birmingham City Council and Tower Hamlets Council have removed flags to maintain council infrastructure

Evening Standard

Patriotism ‘always important’ to Starmer, says No 10 amid flag row

St George’s Cross flags have been removed from council properties by two local authorities.

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