Flying Pride Flag needs “advertising consent” says planning authority in Warwickshire row

This comes after Warwickshire County Council’s chief executive refused a call from the ruling Reform UK party to remove a Pride flag from the shire hall.

Acting leader George Finch, who is aged 18, told chief executive Monica Fogarty to remove the flag on the grounds that his party’s policy was that only British flags such as the Union Jack and Cross of St George should be flown.

Ms Fogerty’s response said decisions on which flags should be flown were a matter for her and not for the leader.

She said: “Hitherto the decisions around which flags to fly at Shire Hall have been left to me as CEO. This has been the custom and practice for the duration of my tenure as CEO and I have never received a request or instruction from an elected member or the leader on such a matter.”

According to the BBC, a spokesperson for Warwick District Council, the planning authority for Warwick, said "advertising consent" was needed to fly the Progress Flag and they did not get an application for it to be flown at the county council's headquarters, Shire Hall.

However, they added: "The council has not received an enforcement complaint, so there is no active enforcement investigation.”

Posting on X on 1 July, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “The CEO of Warwickshire County Council is refusing to take down the trans flag. This unelected bureaucrat thinks she knows better than the people.

“Perhaps Monica Fogarty should look for a new job.”

Reform UK does not have overall control of the council in Warwickshire, although it is the largest party.

Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council have been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson