Father-of-one Shaun Remmer says he had been putting British and other flags around his home town in what he describes as a symbol of the UK’s “unity”.
Shaun Remmer (Image: YorkshireLive/Shaun Remmer)
A supply teacher alleges he was let go from his “dream job” after being “snitched on” for putting flags up around his hometown. Shaun Remmer, from Thirsk in North Yorkshire, says he adored his job as a teaching assistant at Welburn Hall School in York, but last month his world came crashing down.
The 49-year-old father-of-one says he has been putting up British and other flags around the town as a symbol of the UK’s “unity.” He claims to have put up 150 flags around the town and says many welcomed the “decorations,” with neighbours shaking his hand in the street and thanking him.
But Shaun says not everyone was happy, and claims his school was informed, resulting in him being asked not to come back.
“I have not hidden myself or wore a mask, so everyone knows it is me putting up the flags,” Shaun told YorkshireLive. “I get people coming up to me in the supermarket telling me that it looks amazing. I have been putting up the flag of Ulster, which was stopped being in use from 1973. I also put Scottish, Irish and Welsh flags too. It has brought people together.”
Shaun claims his former workplace, Welburn Hall School, heard about what he had been doing and said they no longer wanted him working there.
Now Shaun, who has been employed in schools through an agency, claims he is may even face issues with his DBS, which could prevent him from working in other schools.
Shaun said: “I got a phone call from my agency telling me that a trust I used to work at, but don’t any more, said they received a complaint about me putting flags up in Thirsk.
“The school had then spoke to the trustees and then rang my agency to tell them that they no longer want me to work at either of their schools,” he claimed, adding, “It was really odd.”
“A week later, I arrive back home from Welburn Hall in York after having a good day and someone found out about the flags and spoke to the headmistress.
“The headmistress then saw that I posted about problems we have in the country (on social media) such as young girls getting raped. The post was all about children – as that is who I am trying to protect.
“They basically said they do not want me back and no longer want me to work at the school because I am racist,” he alleged.
Shaun claims he “tried to get some work at another agency but they had heard what happened and they turned me down as they said it was a ‘safeguarding issue'”.
“I have now been told that this might be put on my DBS,” he claimed. “It is really upsetting as teaching is my dream job. I loved my job and the kids loved me.”
Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Council has reportedly been seen taking down the flags he put up in Thirsk. Shaun says he has also received a letter asking him to stop putting up the flags due to “safety issues”.
In the letter the local authority reportedly told Shaun it would pursue the costs associated with the removal of the flags from him if he doesn’t stop.
Karl Battersby, the council’s director of environment said: “We are proud to support big national and regional occasions by flying a St George’s Cross or Union Flag.
“However, we are aware of some residents across North Yorkshire feeling uncomfortable with the numbers of flags as well as graffiti. This does not reflect the inclusive and celebratory tone in which displaying the flags should be intended. We have also seen numerous examples of people putting themselves at risk to display flags on highways, bridges and lampposts.
“We respect individuals’ rights to fly and paint flags on their own private property, but any unauthorised flags or markings on roundabouts and street furniture will be removed when resources allow, focusing on those which are a safety issue.
“If any of our staff face intimidating or abusive behaviour while removing flags or graffiti from around the county, then we will pursue the appropriate action to deal with the individuals involved.”
Shaun denies any wrongdoing, including graffiti or causing criminal damage of any kind. He said he used AI to check the laws surrounding where he could hang flags. However, he said he accepts that some flags might have to be moved if they are causing an issue and obscuring road signs due to Storm Amy.
But Shaun hits back against the idea of being linked to “right-wingers” as he disagrees with their ideologies.
“I have worked in the Philippines and adopted other cultures, so how can I be racist?” he said. “I am a single dad, so I needed this job. I don’t know what the future will hold for me now.”
Shaun is reportedly fighting to prevent anything from being put on his DBS and hopes to teach again. He also says he’s going to continue putting flags up, despite the council asking him to stop.
Wellburn Hall School headteacher Ms Marianne Best said: “Mr Shaun Remmer worked at the school on a temporary basis as a supply teaching assistant via an education recruitment agency.”
