Council spent £15k removing patriotic flags (Image: Getty)
A Labour councillor has demanded police “lie in wait and nab the b*******” who fly Union flags in her area. Susanna Pressel was caught on camera calling for officers to catch residents putting up patriotic flags on lampposts in Oxford.
The shocking video, filmed at an internal county council meeting, was shared on social media. In the staggering footage, the Labour politician is heard ranting: “Can they not trace people who are using social media or if flags are repeatedly reinstalled after we remove them, can they not lie in wait and nab the b******* who are reinstalling them so quickly? Because that’s the sort of thing I would like to see from the police.”
The extraordinary outburst came after it was revealed Oxfordshire County Council has blown a staggering £15,000 of taxpayers’ money removing Union Flags and St George’s flags from lampposts. Following the backlash, furious residents have responded by displaying several flags around Ms Pressel’s own home address.
But the defiant left-wing councillor insisted her neighbours are “incensed” by the patriotic display.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, she said: “They all say they would like these flags taken down at once. I have passed that on to the county council.”
But Tory councillor Liam Walker, who was on the call, delivered a scathing verdict on Ms Pressel’s comments.
He said: “I was on the call at the time and I was genuinely shocked by what was said along with the time and money the council is spending on the removal of flags. This sort of language is not acceptable in any setting — whether in a discussion with councillors, in conversations involving council staff, or in public. We are elected to represent our communities with professionalism and respect. Rather than offering an apology, Cllr Pressel has said she simply wouldn’t say this to someone’s face, and that response falls far short of what is expected. She should apologise for using this poor language.”
Pressel was caught on camera in council meeting (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)
Ms Pressel later attempted to defend her inflammatory comments, claiming she would “never call anyone a b****** to their face”.
She added: “However, this was an internal county council meeting, in which council officers were briefing councillors on the measures being taken for safety reasons to remove unauthorised flags on council infrastructure. We were told that more than £15,000 of public money has already been spent taking flags down. Quite often they are quickly replaced.”
The Labour politician defended the removal of the national flag bizarrely claiming they pose a danger to the public as they distract drivers, and then claimed some of neighbours found the flags racist.
She added: “I also hear complaints from a very large number of people who find the flags intimidating and, in fact, racist.”
And Oxfordshire County Council Spokesman said: “As a council, we proudly fly both the Union Jack and St George’s flags. We also welcome residents displaying flags on their own property.
“However, placing flags or painting them on or near highways can create serious safety hazards. These include reduced visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and increased risk of distraction. In addition, installing flags on street furniture or near roads can lead to personal injury or property damage. For these reasons, we strongly advise people against doing so.
“To keep everyone safe, our teams have been removing flags and other unauthorised attachments from streetlights during routine maintenance or where they pose an immediate risk.
“With the current darker, windier and wetter weather, these risks are increasing. We are therefore stepping up the removal of flags and other unauthorised items. Each case will be assessed based on the level of risk, with priority given to those that pose an immediate risk.
“Our overarching priority is to keep our roads and public spaces safe for everyone.”
A historic diplomatic WAR has just exploded! 😱 The US Government has officially INTERVENED to stop Keir Starmer from banning Elon Musk’s X. They accused Labour of a “political crackdown” and vowed to use a “full range of tools” against Britain.
The announcement comes after UK officials, led by Labour MP Liz Kendall, indicated plans to enforce stringent laws against the creation of non-consensual intimate images, particularly on platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter. The proposed measures have sparked fears of a broader crackdown on free speech, prompting U.S. officials to step in.
Critics argue that the Labour government is leveraging the Grock situation to launch a political offensive against Elon Musk’s platform, while other AI tools remain unregulated. The U.S. response underscores a growing transatlantic divide over the balance between protecting individuals and preserving free expression in the digital age.
During a recent segment on GB News, American officials, including representatives from the Trump administration, voiced strong opposition to the UK’s potential ban on X. They emphasized that free societies do not resort to censorship and warned that the U.S. would not stand idly by if Starmer’s government moves forward with such actions.
The urgency of the situation was highlighted by the rapid implementation of new laws in the UK, which critics claim reveals the government’s ability to act decisively when it aligns with their political agenda. The inconsistency in addressing online safety versus other pressing societal issues has drawn ire from both sides of the Atlantic.
As the debate intensifies, U.S. officials reiterated their commitment to free speech, referencing historical instances where censorship has been used to suppress dissenting voices. The implications of a potential ban on X could reverberate beyond the UK, impacting global perceptions of free expression and digital rights.
With the U.S. government expressing its readiness to respond robustly to any threats against free speech, all eyes are now on the UK as it navigates these complex legal and ethical waters. The unfolding saga raises critical questions about the future of online discourse and the role of government in regulating it.
As this situation develops, it remains to be seen how British authorities will respond to the mounting pressure from both domestic and international fronts. Will the UK prioritize individual freedoms, or will it succumb to the allure of censorship? The stakes have never been higher.
MEGHAN ACCUSES the Royal Family of Silencing HARRY. CHARLES Officially BANS HARRY & MEGHAN—For Good!
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Sussexes and the Wales family, Meghan Markle has accused the royal establishment of orchestrating a media 𝓈𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓇 campaign against her and Prince Harry. This startling revelation follows the release of their highly scrutinized Christmas card, which has ignited a firestorm of controversy and public backlash.
The Sussexes’ holiday card, released just a day after the Wales family’s heartwarming family portrait, was met with harsh criticism for its overly staged and commercialized presentation. Critics quickly labeled it a “sanitized ad,” with insiders revealing that the photo shoot was meticulously planned months in advance, involving a high-budget team of stylists and child consultants.
Meghan’s emotional Netflix special, which aired shortly after the card’s release, further fueled the flames. In it, she lamented the double standards she faces, implying that the royal family benefits from a biased media narrative while she and Harry are vilified. Her tearful pleas for compassion were met with skepticism, as many viewers questioned the authenticity of her portrayal.
Prince William, usually reticent in public discourse about family matters, broke his silence in a pointed response. He asserted that family is not a performance and defended the authenticity of his own family’s Christmas card, a stark contrast to the Sussexes’ carefully curated image. His remarks quickly gained traction on social media, with hashtags supporting his stance trending worldwide.
The fallout from this holiday debacle has been significant, with public sentiment shifting against the Sussexes. Polls indicate a growing discontent with Meghan’s narrative, with many feeling fatigued by her ongoing victimhood claims. Even former supporters have begun to express their disappointment, suggesting that the emotional tactics employed by Meghan are becoming increasingly transparent and tiresome.
As the royal family navigates this tumultuous period, insiders suggest that King Charles may be considering formal measures to distance the monarchy from the Sussexes. Discussions are reportedly underway regarding the potential revocation of their royal titles, reflecting a growing consensus that the Sussexes’ actions undermine the institution’s integrity.
With the new year approaching, the question looms: will Harry reclaim his voice and independence, or continue to be overshadowed by Meghan’s ambitions? The stark divide between the Sussexes and the Wales family has never been more apparent, and the implications for the monarchy’s future are profound. As the dust settles on this Christmas clash, one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of the royal family is far from over.
