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Tower Hamlets mayor raises Palestinian flag over town hall Tower Hamlets mayor raises Palestinian flag over town hall
(about 4 hours 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" on Wednesday.
Government minister Brandon Lewis said it was a "clear political statement on an area of public policy which the municipal body has no responsibility".Government minister Brandon Lewis said it was a "clear political statement on an area of public policy which the municipal body has no responsibility".
The flag was put up on Wednesday but removed on Thursday morning. The flag was removed on Thursday morning, but was replaced hours later.
BBC London's Chris Rogers said the mayor told him he would be putting the flag back up later on Thursday.
Tensions in the Israel-Palestinian conflict have escalated in recent weeks.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.
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".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".
He said: "Conflicts in other parts of the world can have an impact locally and in Tower Hamlets. He said: "Some have suggested that raising the Palestinian flag is to take sides, however, my decision was in solidarity with civilian Palestinian victims.
"Some have suggested that raising the Palestinian flag is to take sides, however, my decision was in solidarity with civilian Palestinian victims.
"Sometimes politicians need to take a stand in the face of injustice and needless suffering and that is what I am doing.""Sometimes politicians need to take a stand in the face of injustice and needless suffering and that is what I am doing."
He said the flag had been "ripped from the flagpole in an act of perceived vandalism". He added that the flag had been "ripped from the flagpole in an act of perceived vandalism" on Thursday morning, however, by Thursday evening the flag was flying again.
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. Communities Minister Mr Lewis said the government's advice was 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."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.
'Gesture politics''Gesture politics'
Mr Rahman's claim that the full council supported his decision to fly the flag was disputed by Peter Golds, leader of the local Conservative group.Mr Rahman's claim that the full council supported his decision to fly the flag was disputed by Peter Golds, leader of the local Conservative group.
Mr Golds said raising the flag was "gesture politics of the worst kind".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."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."
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 [doing], 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.
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 alleged 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. Mr Rahman has strenuously denied the allegations.
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.