World Cup flag-flying order to councils

COUNCILS in Yorkshire have been told "not to be spoilsports" and allow the flying of national flags in support of teams at the World Cup.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Jun 2010, 12:14 BST
Updated 10th Jun 2010, 12:14 BST

Ahead of the long-awaited first matches between Mexico and South Africa and France and Uruguay tomorrow, as well as England's opener against the USA on Saturday, Local Government Minister Grant Shapps has written to local authorities urging them to take a common sense approach.

The announcement follows a number of cases where councils have asked for flags to be taken down on health and safety grounds. Mr Shapps wants to make clear that people who want to show their support should be able to, as long as they do not break health and safety guidelines.

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He also claimed that in the past, some extremist groups have tried to lay claim to the Cross of St George and he emphasised this common sense approach will help reclaim the English flag as a symbol of national identity.

Mr Shapps said: "More and more, we are seeing communities come together on big sporting occasions and we should capitalise on events such as the football World Cup to make this happen."

Related topics:Grant ShappsYorkshireFranceSouth AfricaMexicoUSAEngland