Shame on You Stockton Council - UKIP Flag Banned

A MEMBER of the UK Independence Party has had the wind taken from his sails after he was banned from flying a campaign flag in his back garden. Gordon Parkin of Roseworth, Stockton, was told to take down the pint-size pro-pound emblem - because it’s classed as advertising. Stockton Council said while national flags can be flown without paperwork, political ones are a no-no.

So the 56-year-old is now flying a full-sized Union Flag upside down in protest - a historic military distress signal.

“I had consulted the neighbours and there were no objections whatsoever from them,” said Gordon, chairman of UKIP’s Teesside branch.

“Yes, there is legislation - but it’s just the pettiness of it. It’s at the rear of my house out of sight of any traffic.

“The biggest issue to me here is freedom of expression. We’re meant to live in a free country.

“But I’ve complied with the council’s wishes and I did write back to them.”

The council told Gordon he could apply for permission to nail his UKIP colours to the 18ft mast - at a cost of £95.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: ““Under the advertisement regulations, flags such as the national flag of a country, the Commonwealth, European Union or United Nations flags, can be flown without the formal permission of the local council, subject to certain conditions. Outside of this, a flag is classed as an advert, and an application must be made for express consent, as in this case.”