Ukraine flag removed from council HQ by Reform

The Ukrainian flag has been removed from outside Essex County Council's offices by the newly elected Reform UK administration.

A second Union flag was instead put up in its place outside County Hall in Chelmsford on Friday.

Council leader Peter Harris said it was a "proud moment", but in response, Tory opposition boss Lee Scott warned it could encourage "pro-Kremlin politics" locally.

The Ukraine flag had flown outside the building since March 2022, weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country.

Reform has previously pledged to only fly Union, national, county or armed forces flags outside council buildings it controls.

Harris said: "The replacement of the Ukraine flag does not diminish the support and generosity that Essex residents have shown the people of Ukraine since 2022, and I know this will continue."

A spokesman said there would be discussions with the county's Ukrainian community before finding the flag a new home.

However, Scott said its removal was "deeply disappointing" and sent "the wrong message", branding it a "performative gesture".

"For Essex to turn its back on a visible symbol of solidarity risks importing the language and instincts of pro-Kremlin politics into our county at the very moment our allies across Europe continue to stand firm in support of Ukraine," he added.

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