This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-28580023

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tower Hamlets mayor raises Palestinian flag over town hall Tower Hamlets mayor raises Palestinian flag over town hall
(35 minutes later)
The mayor of Tower Hamlets, in east London, has been criticised for raising the Palestinian flag at the town hall.The mayor of Tower Hamlets, in east London, has been criticised for raising the Palestinian flag at the town hall.
Lutfur Rahman tweeted: "Palestinian flag flying at Town Hall in solidarity with #Gaza and in support of a #ceasefire & peace."Lutfur Rahman tweeted: "Palestinian flag flying at Town Hall in solidarity with #Gaza and in support of a #ceasefire & peace."
But Peter Golds, leader of the local Conservative group, said it was "gesture politics of the worst kind". Government official Brandon Lewis said it was a "clear political statement on an area of public policy which the municipal body has no responsibility".
Tensions in the Israel-Palestinian conflict have escalated in recent weeks over who controls the Gaza Strip. The flag was put up on Wednesday but taken down on Thursday morning.
Tensions in the Israel-Palestinian conflict have escalated in recent weeks.
Israel occupied Gaza in the 1967 Middle East war and pulled out its troops and settlers in 2005. But it still exercises control over most of Gaza's borders, waters and airspace.Israel occupied Gaza in the 1967 Middle East war and pulled out its troops and settlers in 2005. But it still exercises control over most of Gaza's borders, waters and airspace.
It has imposed tight restrictions on the movement of goods and people, which it says is vital for its own security, but Palestinians say they feel confined and the restrictions are intolerable.It has imposed tight restrictions on the movement of goods and people, which it says is vital for its own security, but Palestinians say they feel confined and the restrictions are intolerable.
Mr Rahman tweeted his message of support with a picture on Wednesday, and claimed the full council supported his decision. In a statement, independent mayor Mr Rahman said the decision to fly the flag was to "raise the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza".
But Mr Golds said: "The full council wasn't behind the decision because my group abstained on it. But Communities Minister Mr Lewis said the government's advice was that the union jack should fly in a superior position on public bodies' flag poles.
"There may be some occasions where a foreign flag might be appropriate - for example, to mark a visit by a council's 'town twinning' partner or a distinguished visitor," he said.
Mr Rahman's claim that the full council supported his decision was disputed by Peter Golds, leader of the local Conservative group.
Mr Golds said raising the flag was "gesture politics of the worst kind".
"The full council wasn't behind the decision because my group abstained on it," he said.
"I think if we voted against, it would have caused more problems than it's worth.""I think if we voted against, it would have caused more problems than it's worth."
He said flying the flag would "achieve absolutely nothing" and would create divisions "where there ought not to be division".He said flying the flag would "achieve absolutely nothing" and would create divisions "where there ought not to be division".
"What on earth is the leader of a local authority starting to interfere in foreign affairs, what's his experience?" he said. "What on earth is the leader of a local authority [doing], starting to interfere in foreign affairs? What's his experience?" he said.
'Most shallow'
Mr Gold said he was aware there was "anger in some communities" about the flag being displayed at the town hall.
"It just shows Lutfar Rahman at his most shallow," he said.
"This is a man who exercises human rights to refuse to answer questions at local council meetings."
The council is currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police over voter fraud in May's elections, and the government is looking into allegations the mayor disproportionately funded Bengali groups in order to get their vote in his first term in office.The council is currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police over voter fraud in May's elections, and the government is looking into allegations the mayor disproportionately funded Bengali groups in order to get their vote in his first term in office.
The Red Flag Anti-Corruption Party has also accused Mr Rahman's party of electoral fraud, corruption and political smears, which the High Court is due to consider over the next few months.The Red Flag Anti-Corruption Party has also accused Mr Rahman's party of electoral fraud, corruption and political smears, which the High Court is due to consider over the next few months.