Council hits back over viral 'flag removal' video
Salford Council says it won't tolerate "intimidating" behaviour
Salford Council has hit back over claims a worker tried to remove a British flag from a lamppost, after a video went viral.
The footage appeared to show a man trying to remove a ladder from under a council worker while he was working on a lamppost with the flag attached.
The clip was posted on social media on Friday and quickly spread, racking up huge numbers of viewers and sparking debate over the weekend.
A worker wearing a high-vis jacket was seen in the footage climbing a ladder up a post on which a British flag was attached, based on High Street in Walkden.
During the video, a second man who is standing at the bottom of the ladder appears to detach the worker’s safety strap which is anchoring the ladder to the post before appearing to drag the ladder away.
The worker can be seen clinging onto the post before jumping down to the ground.
It was claimed in some posts online that the man wearing the high-vis vest was a ‘council worker’ who was trying to ‘take down’ the flag from the post.
In a statement Salford council said: “The person shown in the video is a sub-contractor to the council and contrary to social media posts, was working on camera equipment.
“We have previously stated we are not removing flags and absolutely do not condone any violent behaviour or verbal abuse.
“Threatening or intimidating behaviour towards residents and workers in Salford is unacceptable and we appeal to people in Salford to treat each other with respect.
“Anyone with information can contact GMP on 101.”
It is understood that a member of the public who was not directly involved in the incident has reported it to GMP.
The council posted online over the weekend re-sharing its position that ‘flags will not be routinely taken down’ unless they represent a safety risk or constitute an offence, such as criminal damage.
Salford’s deputy mayor Jack Youd, who is a councillor in Walkden North, also posted online about the incident.
He said: “The assault on a man trying to go about his job yesterday is inexcusable.
“He wasn’t there to remove flags, but sadly people are using the video to put out misinformation and to encourage attacking council workers and ordinary men in hi viz trying to do their jobs in Salford.”