A video shared by Portsmouth councillor George Madgwick, of Reform UK, appears to show council workers removing St George’s Cross flags from residential balconies just days before England’s World Cup semi-final. The footage went viral, prompting a wave of criticism from residents and social media users who branded the action heavy-handed, before Portsmouth City Council confirmed to Truth Times that the removals were carried out on fire safety grounds.
In the video posted by Madgwick, council workers can be seen taking down England flags that had been hung from balconies on residential buildings in Portsmouth. Residents featured in the footage, along with commenters responding to the post, described the removals as having been carried out without permission, with some going as far as to call it theft of personal property. The timing, coming shortly before England’s World Cup semi-final, added fuel to the criticism, with many arguing it appeared tone-deaf or actively discouraged displays of national pride during a major sporting event.
Council responds to Truth Times
Portsmouth City Council, which is led by the Liberal Democrats, had not issued any public statement addressing the incident until contacted directly by Truth Times. Responding to our enquiry, Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, confirmed the removals were carried out under the council’s fire safety policy rather than any objection to the flags themselves. “We understand residents want to show their support for England, and we’re pleased to see the community getting behind the team,” Cllr Pitt said. “However, our fire safety policy, reinforced by Hampshire Fire & Rescue and the Fire Safety Act, requires communal balconies to be kept clear of anything that could catch fire, spread fire, or block safe access. This applies to all items placed on balconies, including flags and banners.”
Cllr Pitt confirmed the policy had been agreed in consultation with the fire service. “We have consulted with Hampshire Fire & Rescue, and they agree with our approach to keeping communal balconies clear in the interests of fire safety,” he said. He added that residents remain free to display their support in other ways: “Residents are welcome to display flags inside their homes, such as in a window, where they can still show their support while helping to keep everyone safe.”
A wider pattern of controversy
Even with the council’s explanation now confirmed, the Portsmouth video has fed into a broader, recurring debate about how local authorities in England handle the display of national flags on public and social housing. Before the council’s response, a range of competing theories had circulated online, with some suggesting the removals might relate to broader policies around “community cohesion” or avoiding offence, rather than fire safety. Critics of the removals have also raised accusations of inconsistency, pointing to instances where other types of flags or displays have reportedly faced less scrutiny in similar settings, and framing the incident as part of a pattern of “two-tier” enforcement. Supporters of the council’s action have argued that, consistent with Cllr Pitt’s statement, the policy applies equally to all items on communal balconies rather than targeting England flags specifically.
What residents can do
Residents in council-owned or social housing who want to display support for England are advised, based on the council’s own guidance, to hang flags inside their homes, such as in a window, rather than on communal balconies. Anyone unsure of the exact rules affecting their building is encouraged to check their tenancy agreement or contact Portsmouth City Council directly for further clarification.
