Nigel Farage accused of 'sucking up to Moscow' with Reform's new flags pledge

Reform UK have been accused of "sucking up to Moscow" after declaring councils they run can't fly Ukrainian flags.

Nigel Farage's party took control of 10 councils, including Kent, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, in last week's English local elections. And one of its first acts was to insist that only Union Jack and St George's flags could be flown on local authority buildings.

This means town halls would be forced to take down Ukrainian flags, which have been flown in solidarity for Kyiv in the face of Russian aggression.

Party chairman Zia Yusuf said: "Reform controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the *only* flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and the St George’s flag. No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls."

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After a furious backlash, the party was forced to partially row back, putting out a statement to clarify that Reform councils could fly England's historic county flags.

But Ukrainian flags will not be allowed. The decision - announced on VE Day as the country celebrates the end of the Second World War in Europe - drew anger from MPs.

Mike Tapp, MP for Dover and Deal, said: “As VE Day reminds us, Britain has a proud history of working with allies to defeat dictators and tyrants. It tells you all you need to know about 's Reform that their very first act after winning elections is to ban the Ukrainian flag from our town halls, in this of all weeks.

“But while it is sickening, it should come as no surprise: Farage told us that is the leader he most admires. Farage and Reform councillors should stop sucking up to Moscow and drop their ban on flying the Ukrainian flag immediately.”

Shadow Local Government Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: "Presumably no Ukrainian flags either? Pretty understandable given Nigel Farage’s robust defence of Putin’s excuses for invasion."

A Reform spokesman said: "Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George's flag and county flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history."

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