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",. 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.

It marks the latest in a series of early manoeuvres made by Reform. whichended the Conservatives' 25-year reignat the local authority on Friday.

It has already announced plans toscrap library reservation chargesand threatenedlegal action to stop local government reorganisation.

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. 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. 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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