Pride flag removed by newly led Reform UK council
BBCA council under new control by Reform UK has taken down an LGBTQ+ Pride flag at its headquarters.
The move was made on the first day the party officially assumed control of Durham County Council. A Ukrainian flag has also been removed.
Liberal Democrat councillor Ellie Hopgood condemned the decision and said it was a "disrespectful, mean-spirited act" ahead of Saturday's Pride in Armed Forces event in Durham.
The council's deputy leader Darren Grimes, who is gay, defended the decision and said the party was not anti-gay but was "anti-tokenism".
Hopgood told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the council should apologise and put the Pride flag back up.
"It's a petty and mean-spirited act to haul down the Pride flag ahead of Saturday's Pride in Armed Forces event here in Durham.
"It is disrespectful to the Britons of all sexualities who served in our armed forces and many who gave their lives for their country."
The council was previously run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and independent councillors.
Reform, whose landmark local election victory saw it secure 65 seats in Durham, officially took control of the local authority earlier, with the party's Andrew Husband elected as council leader.
It has renamed several key departments to remove references to climate change and equality and inclusion.
Grimes said he was proud the council was flying the union jack, flag of St George and the County Durham flag.
"Together, they represent every Briton, gay or straight, black or white, Christian, Sikh, or otherwise, who has fought, died, and sacrificed under those colours," he said.
"Flying our national and local flags is an act of unity. Swapping them out for niche political symbols is just more toxic identity politics."