I think it’s time for those flags to come down… they're clearly put up to intimidate members of our community

Labour Coun Claire Vibert spoke about the issue during a town-hall meeting last week on January 15, supported by her Labour colleague Coun Jon Byrne. It comes after social housing landlord Stockport Homes said in November that there had been an increase in ‘racial incidents’ reported since the flags went up.

Coun Vibert said at the council meeting last week: “It’s my view that the continued presence of flags across Stockport is directly contributing to a sense of division, and I believe it’s emboldening those who want to act on their prejudice.

“I appreciate it’s not the sole cause of what we’re seeing by any means, but I do believe it is contributing to it.

“It’s time for those flags to come down as they have in other places, and to show clearly that the council will not tolerate either the use of flags or any other symbol in the public realm when it’s clearly being done to intimidate members of our community and creating an atmosphere of fear.”

Coun Byrne added: “We’ve heard tonight about the rise of racism in our borough and country, and also the rise of abuse towards councillors.

“I believe that when we all stand together for values I know and I’m confident we all hold, we do not allow a vacuum for those views which go against our moderate and tolerant society to grow. In that vein, I want to once again align myself with the comments of Councillor Vibert, she does not stand alone on this issue.”

Stockport council is led by the Lib Dems under a minority administration.

The council’s policy on flags in public spaces was outlined last year, when it said they will stay in place as long as they do not pose a safety risk or have slogans written over them.

The only exception was some flags which were removed from lampposts where Christmas lights were installed.

Flags could also be removed in future if they become damaged or worn out, the council said.

Stockport council leader Mark Roberts, a LIb Dem, said the policy has not changed.

Responding to Coun Vibert, he said: “Yet again I’m disappointed that the member opposite would choose to raise this in this way, having frankly learned the hard way about what happens when it’s done like this before.

“The position that we have as a council is abundantly clear on the council’s website, there is no change to the policy, and that’s how it will be for now.”Coun Roberts later added: “Just to be really clear, I wasn’t saying that you should have learned the hard way because of any abuse that came your way, that absolutely wasn’t the point I was making.

“The point I was making about having learned the hard way, is the impact that your contributions have repeatedly had on the most vulnerable people in our communities across Stockport, drawing a target on their backs, this has been explained to you both explicitly.”