Dragon flags spark row over 'far-right' links

A councillor has criticised the local authority his own party runs for not removing flags which he and others claim have links to white nationalism.

Reform UK councillor Adrian Schulman said five flags depicting a white dragon on a red background were hung up in Crook in September.

He said the insignia had links to a group that glorified Hitler and should not be on display, but Reform-led Durham County Council said it was taking a "common sense" approach to flags.

Extremism expert Dr William Allchorn said the white dragon was a recognised symbol within sections of the British far right, but Prof Paul Jackson said the imagery could also relate to English mythology.

Allchorn, of Anglia Ruskin University, said the flag design had been popularised by Wulf Ingessunu who had used nationalist interpretations of Anglo-Saxon identity to celebrate Hitler.

He said the flag's modern political history was "closely connected" to "white nationalist activism".

Meanwhile Jackson, a radicalism expert from the University of Northampton, agreed the symbol did have links to white nationalism but could also be a reference to English myths and legends.

"[This] is an example of how flags can be quite ambiguous," he said.

"There is nothing decisive."

Beyond calling for the council to act, Schulman said he had tried to hire equipment to remove the flags himself.

"I can't find a cherry picker anywhere," he said.

He acknowledged most people who saw the flags did not understand the white nationalist links, but said he felt they were "totally inappropriate".

Durham County Council said it would only remove flags if they contained "clearly inflammatory" wording or imagery, as well as if they were damaged, loose or in dangerous locations.

It also said it would consider removing flags as part of routine maintenance work.

A spokesperson said: "We appreciate that the appearance of flags on lampposts and other locations has prompted a mixed reaction.

"As such, we are continuing to take a measured and common-sense approach, while bearing in mind our public safety responsibilities.

"If any flags are seen as a hate crime or have caused criminal damage, they can be reported to police or our anti-social behaviour team."

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