Labour-run Birmingham City Council has been blasted for “blatant two-tier bias” after it needed extra “support” to take down Palestine flags, yet ordered the immediate removal of England flags. The bankrupt authority recently said the hundreds of Union and St George’s flags hung around the city “could put lives at risk”, and instantly began removing them.

A group of residents said they wanted to highlight “how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements” by flying the flags. Following this, the council issued the guidance: “People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.” However, in February this year, Palestine flags were hung in the city centre, yet were not immediately removed.

A group of residents hung up hundreds of St Georges and Union flags. (Image: Getty)

A leaked email seen by the Mail showed council cabinet member Majid Mahmood saying: “We are taking these down, but we need the support of the police due to issues that have cropped (up) when we first tried to take them down.”

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has slammed the council for being “too scared” to remove the Palestine flags earlier this year. “It is ridiculous that the council are taking down England flags and Union flags while Palestine flags are allowed to remain. It’s blatant two-tier bias against the British people,” he told the Mail.

“Labour-run Birmingham council seem to be ashamed of our country – celebrating everyone other than ourselves. This pathetic self-loathing must end. We must be one country, united under one flag.”

Mr Jenrick added: “It is a damning indictment of how bad things have become that the council appear too scared to take down unauthorised foreign flags without the police. The authorities cannot allow themselves to be intimidated into submission.”

At the same time, the council announced this week that it would light up the city’s library in the colours of the Pakistan flag for the country’s anniversary of independence – this cost a staggering £500 a day, according to the authority.

Birmingham Council declared effective bankruptcy in 2023 and has been embroiled in a seven-month-long bin strike.

Birmingham Council said: “Lampposts and other street furniture need to be protected which is why highways staff across the city removed around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year. They take down attachments from lampposts routinely, including advertising signs, bunting trails and flags.”