Reform

Uncovered

‘A Formal Decision Was Not Required’

Durham County Council Removes Pride and Ukraine Flags on Leader’s Whim

Critics called the move ‘deeply undemocratic’ and ‘Trumpian’ after the Reform UK-led council could provide no formal record or reasoning for the change. Josiah Mortimer reports

Reform UK-led Durham County Council has been accused of dodging democratic accountability after removing the Pride flag supporting LGBT+ rights and that of Ukraine from council buildings without any formal decision-making process or paper trail.

In May, shortly after being elected, the council – like others run by the party – removed the flags from its headquarters. However, no formal decision was recorded to enact the move, according to a Freedom of Information request – despite the council having an official flag protocol.

Syd Bolton requested “copies of the formal recorded decision” to remove the flags, “including any and all minutes and transcripts of the relevant meetings”.