Portsmouth City Council describes flag damage to Guildhall as 'upsetting'
The building is one of a number which have had flags spray-painted or displayed on them in recent days
Portsmouth City Council has described damage to a 19th-century landmark after it was painted with a St George's Cross by vandals as "upsetting".
Portsmouth Guildhall, a Victorian hall now used as an events venue, is one of a number of buildings and roads in the city which have been painted with the red-and-white symbol, Portsmouth City Council said.
A spokesperson said:
"Portsmouth City Council is aware of unauthorised St George’s Cross paintings across the city, including on the historic Guildhall, a Grade II listed building.
"The Guildhall is a civic and cultural landmark of great importance to the city and its residents. Damaging it is upsetting, unlawful and costly to repair. Although the painting has been removed there is still visible damage.
"Additionally, symbols have been painted on roads and roundabouts, which do not comply with national road marking standards which the council has a legal duty to uphold, therefore, any non-standard road markings will be removed to keep road markings compliant.
"As a council, our buildings that have flagpoles fly the Union Flag, we do not let other people hang flags on our buildings. No action is currently being taken to remove flags hanging from lamp posts or other public infrastructure if they are not causing a hazard.
"Residents are free to hang flags responsibly on their own property.
Other flag incidents across the country
News of this incident in Portsmouth follows police officers being accused of taking down a Union flag said they were actually fitting anti-vandal cameras for a local church.
A post on X showed officers on a cherry-picker beside a lamppost with a flag attached.
The post, from X user Matthardybladerunner, stated: "No time to investigate car crime or burglaries though..." suggesting the officers were neglecting crime-fighting to take down the flag.
The post, put up around midday on Thursday, has since been seen 1.1 million times, garnering 4,000 retweets and 1,000 comments in response.
But Cumbria Police quoted the tweet themselves, in their response on Friday, identifying the officers as their own but giving a different explanation for the activity.
The incident is believed to have happened in Barrow, Cumbria.
An England flag has also appeared on the Angel of the North in Gateshead.
The widespread flying of flags, following an online movement called Operation Raise the Colours, has become contentious with some local authorities removing some flags.
It has become a controversial issue with some politicians decrying the removal of Union and St George's Cross flags while others claim the increased flying of flags is a result of xenophobia or racism.