A Liberal Democrat-run council has torn down a series of St George’s flags – before blaming Storm Amy for the move.

Shropshire Council said English flags hoisted as part of “Operation Raise the Colours” had been left “torn, unsightly, or potentially hazardous” after the inclement weather.

The local authority insists the decision was made for “public safety” – but it has now been accused of showing a “dubious amount of patriotism”.

Deputy council leader Alex Wagner had said in August: “Shropshire Council has absolutely no problem with people, being patriotic, with flying the colours.

But Mr Wagner jabbed: “A lot of these are clearly made of plastic. I suspect they’re not going to withstand much pressure from the elements, whether that’s being dyed in the sun or wind and rain.

“The zip ties are going to stay for a long old time… These might look alright this morning, but in three or six months, I suspect the same people aren’t going to be going back around keeping an eye on maintaining them.

“Ultimately, that falls on the public purse.”

Now, veteran Tory MP Sir John Hayes has weighed in.

He pointed out: “Flags fly best in strong winds, so unless there was imminent risk of the lamp-posts collapsing I can see no reason to take them down. Flags flutter in the wind.

“People will be suspicious that those councillors who have self-doubt and a dubious amount of patriotism will find any excuse to take them down the Cross of St George and the Union Flag.”

Sir John then vowed that he wanted to see the banners flying across Shropshire and Britain – and has called on the council to sponsor the hoisting of even more.

He added that he had received “positive responses” from public bodies across the country about raising the flag.

COUNCILS’ WAR ON FLAGS – READ MORE:

• ‘Absolutely shocking!’ Councillor fumes as Union Jack flag deemed ‘too divisive’ for local display
• Labour MP calls for removal of ‘weird and tatty’ flags as Union Jack and St George’s Cross ‘make people feel uneasy’
• ‘It’s unpatriotic!’ Residents fume at council for taking down Union and St George’s flags

The council said it had to remove “deteriorated or unsecured flags” in order to “ensure public safety and maintain the appearance of our streets”.

A spokesman said: “Some are at risk of obscuring street signs, street lights, or traffic signals, while others could fall onto the highway if not properly secured.”

One council which made headlines for its approach to flags in recent weeks has been London’s Tower Hamlets.

The authority passed a motion to brand “Operation Raise the Colours” “far-right”.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the council – led by fraudster Lutfur Rahman – officially “rejected” the presence of alleged far-right agitators who “targeted communities” over the summer.

While further north, suspended Labour MP Rachael Maskell said her “stomach churned” when she saw her colleagues waving English flags.

Ms Maskell described the flags as just “tatty bits of cloth” and admitted waving them – despite the Prime Minister’s claims – was “not the Labour Party”.

“I personally think we need a little bit of a break from flags right now,” she told a university event.

“My stomach churned at Labour party conference when everyone got out their St George’s flag… that’s not the Labour Party.”