A council leader has said the appearance of St George’s and Union flags has been “intimidating” for some people. Dorset Council’s Lib-Dem leader, Nick Ireland, said a movement which has seen people hang the flags from lampposts was an “explosion” of patriotism, but added it would be naive to suggest they hadn’t been “hijacked” by some groups on the far right of British politics.

Those behind Operation Raise the Colours have said their motivation stems from their pride in the country and patriotism. Others have argued the campaign is provocative, racist and divisive.

Mr Ireland encouraged residents of his county to fly a flag at home or at designated flagpoles and said Dorset would not be encouraging division.

He told the BBC there was an “underlying tension” to the campaign, which he argued has been “hijacked” by people whose views were “completely unacceptable”.

His comments compare with Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, who said it was “shameful” of councils to remove St George’s Cross flags.

Flags have been taken down by a number of local authorities this week, including Tower Hamlets in east London as well as Birmingham.

Writing in the Daily Mail, the Conservative leader said the flying of English flags should be “welcomed”, rather than “seen as an act of rebellion”.

“After years of politicisation by those who seek to diminish England’s culture and Christian heritage, it is encouraging to see English flags flown proudly as symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism,” she said.

“So, it is shameful that some councils have scrambled to remove them at the first opportunity, even in the lead-up to VJ Day, while leaving banners of other nations and political causes untouched.

“This is not about by-laws or policy. Councils will say they are enforcing local rules, but the point is they apply those rules selectively.”