Members of a rural town council were today branded ‘stupid’ for voting to stop flying the flag of St George because of its links to the Crusades - claiming it is offensive to Muslims.
The ban on the red and white emblem was imposed in Radstock, Somerset, which has a population of 5,620 - including just 16 Muslim residents, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Labour councillor Eleanor Jackson insisted it could still cause upset to Muslims - and officials agreed with her proposal not to buy a new St George’s flag for the town’s repaired civic flagpole.
Left bare: The new flagpole in Radstock, Somerset, which has nothing on it because the council deemed the St George's flag insensitive to Muslims
The university lecturer said: ‘My big problem is that it is offensive to some Muslims, but even more so that it has been hijacked by the far right. My thoughts are we ought to drop it for 20 years.’
Instead, a Union Jack will be flown on Armistice Day - and the rainbow flag of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride movement - at ‘appropriate’ times of the year.
The council will also be flying the In Bloom flag at the Miners’ Memorial Garden to celebrate the town’s gardening achievements - and there are plans for a specially-designed flag for Radstock.
Residents of Radstock criticised the council’s decision. Pensioner Irene Burchell, 76, said: ‘The council does not speak for the people of Radstock, and certainly does not speak for me.
Decision: Radstock Town Council's offices in Somerset. Officials agreed with the proposal of Labour councillor Eleanor Jackson not to buy a new St George's flag for the town's repaired civic flagpole.
‘I think it is absolute nonsense. The St George’s flag has been adopted by England for centuries. We are the only ones who never celebrate April 23 the way other people celebrate their national day.
'I don’t think Muslims would be offended by it. Why would they? They live here. It’s stupid'
Jenny Fisher, 70, Radstock local
‘The only people who will be left using the flag will be football hooligans and this plays into that.’
Jenny Fisher, 70, added: ‘I don’t think Muslims would be offended by it. Why would they? They live here. It’s stupid.’
But Radstock Town Council chairman Lesley Mansell said: ‘We do not have a Union Jack and the discussion was mainly about purchasing one to fly mainly for Armistice Day.
Concerns: Labour councillor Eleanor Jackson insisted the flag could still cause upset to Muslims
‘The list we saw at council included a number of other flags which councils are allowed to display - which includes those for the patron saints for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
‘The council confirmed its original decision to purchase a Union Jack, to fly the In Bloom one and the rainbow flag at appropriate times. We are working on a new logo and when that is sorted we hope to have our own flag for Radstock.’
But John Clements, vice-president of patriotic group the Royal Society of St George, condemned the council’s decision as ‘nonsense’.
He said it was the ‘censoring’ of Britain’s national flag which played into the hands of the far right.
Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Nasima Begum said her group encouraged the flying of the St George’s flag.
She said: ‘St George needs to take his rightful place as a national symbol of inclusivity rather than a symbol of hatred. St George actually lived before the birth of Islam and should not be associated with any hatred of Muslims.’
And Rizwan Ahmed of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society said: ‘It is political correctness going a bit too far. Use by the far right is one thing, but to say that Muslims are offended I don’t think is correct.
St George's flag: The ban on the red and white emblem (file picture) was imposed in Radstock, Somerset.
THE CRUSADES AND ST GEORGE
The Crusades was a centuries-long series of military campaigns waged by Christians from Europe.
St George became an English hero during the crusades against the Muslim armies that captured Jerusalem in the 11th century.
An apparition of George is said to have appeared to the crusader army at the Battle of Antioch in 1098. His dragon-slaying legend is thought to have begun as an allegory of Diocletian's persecution of Christians.
‘I think if anything this will harm understanding of Muslim people, and it feeds into the ideas that some people have of “Oh, here they go again, pandering to the needs of Muslim people”, when actually it is not offensive.
‘We understand the flag is part of this country’s heritage, and in fact many, many Muslims will identify as being British themselves.
‘I can see why they have done this, but it really is too far. They are being overly sensitive, and making assumptions about what Muslims will be offended by.
‘In actual fact we are normal people. We have a sense of humour and have the same concerns as everyone else - we are not just some single group.’
There is no mosque or prayer centre in Radstock, meaning the few members of the Muslim community are forced to go to Bristol or nearby Bath in order to pray.
Who gives a flying F**K what this Muslim loving Labour councilor thinks. Who gives a S**t if it offends Muslims or not,they shouldn't be here in the first place. It was the Muslim loving Labour party that brought the terrorist bastards to Great Britain in the first place, and now they are doing all they can to take a way or English identity.
The day will come when all Muslims will turn on the Labour party, and they will wonder what's hit them, you reap what you sow