Liberal Democrat supporters have branded Operation Raise the Colours “threatening” and “intimidating” as the party’s Autumn conference winds down in Bournemouth. Union and St George’s Cross flags have appeared across towns and cities in recent weeks as part of an online campaign, including in the Dorset seaside town where Sir Ed Davey‘s party congregated over the weekend.

A flag was spray-painted on the 128-year-old St Luke’s Church in Winton, Bournemouth, earlier this month, prompting Dorset Police to launch a criminal damage investigation. Mr Davey hasn’t shied away from controversy at the three-day event, including by branding Elon Musk “a criminal”, and his supporters also didn’t mince their words when speaking about their views on the “frightening” Operation Raise the Colours campaign. “I support patriotism, I don’t support racism,” one attendee told the BBC. “A lot of people are using those flags in a way to intimidate,” another added. “And I think that’s really sad because I think we should be able to reclaim that flag.”