Key facts
- Leaders of the nationalist group Raise the Colours agreed to stop hoisting St George's flags in Oxfordshire.
- The agreement was made after the local authority sought a high court injunction.
- Ryan Bridge, Ben Cullen, and Trudy Wells committed to not raising flags or obstructing council workers.
- A fourth leader, Kevin Good, also agreed to cease his involvement with flag displays in Oxfordshire.
- The council accused the group of unlawful flag attachment, encouraging others, and intimidating staff.
Leaders of the nationalist group Raise the Colours have agreed to cease hoisting England flags from lamp-posts in Oxfordshire following a high court injunction sought by the local authority. Ryan Bridge, Ben Cullen, and Trudy Wells, leaders of the group, informed the court on Tuesday that they would no longer raise St George’s flags on council property, encourage others to do so, or obstruct council workers removing them.
Mr Justice Dias indicated he would support the council’s application for an injunction against the four named defendants and "persons unknown," provided the order's wording was agreed upon. Bridge, who stated the council was using "bullying tactics," agreed to the proposed terms, calling it a "sad day for the flag or country and what it represents." He sought clarification on what might constitute encouraging others, expressing concern that putting up a flag for an upcoming football match could be interpreted as such.
The judge clarified that Bridge was legally entitled to erect flags from his own property. Cullen initially stated he would still like to put up flags in Oxfordshire but later conceded, "I will not do it in future in Oxfordshire." Wells also confirmed her withdrawal from the campaign, stating, "I’m not going to have anything to do with the flags any more."
Documents submitted by the Liberal Democrat-led council detailed their request to ban attaching flags to highway structures, painting flags on the highway, obstructing removal efforts, and causing harassment, alarm, or distress to council staff. The council accused the group and others of repeatedly and unlawfully attaching flags and ignoring requests to stop. Furthermore, the council alleged that campaign members intimidated employees and contractors, citing an incident in January 2026 where flags were attached to a council member's street lampposts, leading to hostile and abusive emails.