A leaked draft of the Government’s new social cohesion strategy says flying flags is linked to “tools of hate”. The document reportedly states that “the extreme right” tried to “turn symbols of pride into tools of hate”.

St George’s Cross and Union flags were strewn from lampposts across England last summer in a campaign called Operation Raise the Colours. Supporters insisted Brits were showing pride in their country, while critics warned the flag-flying was aimed at intimidating certain communities and a show of anti-immigrant sentiment.

The leaked draft is from a version of the Government’s community cohesion plan, which is due out next week, The Sun reports.

A Government source told the same publication the document is an early draft, which proposes a “special representative” to tackle Islamophobia.

The “anit-Muslim hostility” tsar will be introduced to “champion efforts across the UK to tackle hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim”.

Across its 47-pages, the document also reportedly warns anti-semitism has become “normalised in many corners of society” from schools and universities to workplaces and the NHS.

Some £800 million over 10 years would be put towards 40 areas where social cohesion is deemed to be “under pressure” under the proposals.

The draft was leaked to the Spectator magazine, which reported that ministers will unveil the finalised plans in a cross-Government drive next week.

A new definition of Islamophobia is also expected to be set out as part of guidance on anti-Muslim hatred.

Critics have argued the move could act as a backdoor “blasphemy law” and limit free speech, though the Government has said its focus is on protecting people from unacceptable treatment.

Shadow Communities Secretary Sir James Cleverly said the proposal for an anti-Muslim hostility “tsar” risked having a “chilling effect”.

He accused Labour of “pandering to sectarianism” after losing the previously rock-solid seat of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester to the Greens in a parliamentary by-election last month.

The Tory frontbencher said: “The Conservatives stand against such divisive tactics. As Kemi Badenoch said this week, identity politics is a dead end and our country is headed down a dark road if it fails on sectional interests rather than shared values and freedoms.

“Anti-Muslim hatred is real, but we should tackle it with the existing laws we have for that exact purpose, without undermining free expression.”

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks.”