On St George’s Day, Oxfordshire County Council flies the red and white flag of England above the County Hall, as it does every year.

Saint George himself, who never stepped foot in England, was a Christian, likely born in modern-day Turkey, who became a symbol of bravery and chivalry.

His cross was first used in the 13th century and was adopted by English forces under King Edward I. It was incorporated into the Union Jack flag in the 15th century, which was officially recognised in 1801.

Over time, it has evolved into a symbol of English military power and national pride, displayed during sporting events and national celebrations.

Flag hanging Abingdon Road Oxford March 2026 (Image: Elsie from the block)

However, over the last eight months, these flags have not been used as a sign of patriotism by groups, including Raise the Colours, but as an act of intimidation and division.

Last month, the council issued a formal legal notice to Raise the Colours, in response to its continued placing of flags across Oxfordshire, requiring an individual or organisation to seize this activity.

In the council’s continued battle to protect patriotism, it has spent more than £15,000 removing flags from lampposts and paint on or near highways.

New flags in Station Road, Didcot (Image: Raise the Colours Oxfordshire)

Just last week, already removed flags from lampposts in Station Road near Didcot Parkway reappeared, along with new flags in other locations, including in Abingdon, Shillingford, Benson and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Anna Railton (Image: Oxford City Council)

Anna Railton, deputy leader and Labour councillor for Hinksey Park, said the raising of flags on lampposts without permission “has always been more about exclusion than celebrating Englishness”.

She said: “I don’t think anyone’s got any problem with people decking out their homes and cars with St George’s flags for the World Cup and other sporting events, or just because you like it, nor celebrating St George’s Day. 

Liz Leffman (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

“What’s always been key here is the intent. Draping oneself in St George’s flag to protest outside the Kassam Hotel, printing up versions with ‘Stop the boats’ on, and putting them up on lampposts without permission, or indeed spraying them on traffic furniture, has always been more about exclusion than celebrating Englishness.”

Liz Leffman, leader of the council, said the council is proud of its diverse communities and encourages residents to fly the flag, only for its intended purpose on private property.

She said: “We proudly fly the Union Jack and St George’s flags, which are visible symbols of democracy and unity, and the council welcomes residents displaying flags on their own property.”

Raise the Colours Oxfordshire has been placing England and UK flags all around the county in the name of patriotism.

The 50-year-old comedian, turned actor and podcaster, is facing trial this summer over allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him by six women.

He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court at the delayed October 12 hearing for three charges of rape, three allegations of sexual assault, and one charge of indecent assault

Mr Brand, who was once married to Katy Perry and denies the charges, which date from 1999 to 2009, spoke about his actions on the YouTube show of Megyn Kelly, a US journalist, calling himself “selfish” and an “exploiter of women”.

He said: “In Europe and the United Kingdom, where I’m from, the age of consent is 16, and I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30.

“When I was 30, I was a very different person.

“I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old.

“Consensual sex with a lot of people, when there is a strong power differential, as there is when you are a famous man who has the ability to attract women that I had at that time, I think involves exploitation. I think it is exploitative.

“I recognise that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish and I did not apply enough consideration, barely any I suppose, really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”

The 50-year-old began his career as a comedian before bagging a presenting role on MTV.

He has also starred in Big Brother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Arthur and Rock of Ages.

Sergeant Constandino Simeonidis, 55, is accused of coming up behind the woman and grabbing her bottom, before pulling down her tights and carrying out a sexual assault.

The alleged victim says she was left “embarrassed” and “humiliated” after the incident, but did not want to report it for fear of not being believed.

At Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, Simeonidis told jurors that the pair had been “very flirtatious” and were touching each other all evening.

“It was completely consensual and friendly and nothing seemed wrong,” he said.

Simeonidis became a City of London Police firearms sergeant in 2015 after leaving Thames Valley Police, where he started his career in 2003.

He and the female officer were out at a work party in 2022 having not previously interacted outside of work, the court heard.

He said that they began flirting and touching each other’s thighs while sitting in a restaurant, and that this escalated when they moved to a bar in the Square Mile.

“She said I really want to kiss you, I said we can’t, people will see us,” said Simeonidis.

He later added “it was all very flirtatious, very close” and that both had said how much they “liked” one another.

Edmund Blackman, prosecuting, said: “Your account and her account are very different aren’t they?

“Yes they are,” said Simeonidis.

“On her account there’s no physical flirting between you at the restaurant,” said Mr Blackman.

“She’s not being truthful,” said Simeonidis.

“Well Sergeant Simeonidis, could it just be that you’re not being truthful in order to exaggerate grossly her behaviour towards you that night?” asked Mr Blackman.

“That’s not true,” Simeonidis replied.

The alleged victim said that Simeonidis being “well thought of” by his colleagues contributed to her decision not to come forward.

Simeonidis qualified as a firearms officer in 2003 for Thames Valley police, before moving to the Metropolitan Police in 2015 and later to City of London police in 2021.

Jurors heard that he had been involved in responding to “many terrorist incidents” like the Westminster and Borough market attacks.

He had also received several commendations for “exceptional service” and was about to be promoted when the incident took place in 2022.

The woman did make a report to police in March 2023 after speaking to a friend about the night, and Simeonidis was charged in February 2024.

She remembers standing at the bar when she “felt a hand touch her bottom and then go between her legs”, said prosecutor Edmund Blackman.

“She shuffled away, thinking ‘that’s not right’, and heard the defendant behind her saying ‘good girl’ in reference to her.

“She then felt a tug on her tights and he put his hand inside her knickers and was touching her vagina.”

The woman says she was sexually assaulted and turned around to see Simeonidis with his fingers in his mouth.

Simeonidis has consistently denied the charges, and told jurors that he believes they have been brought for “malicious” reasons.

The sergeant told jurors that after the sexual touching: “She continued to dance against my body and everything about her seemed completely happy.”

He recalled an officer making a lewd comment which upset the alleged victim during the evening and said they both felt “very embarrassed” after the party.

Simeonidis, who has been with his partner for over 20 years, did admit that he deleted messages from the woman after the incident so that his “partner would not see them”.

“Did you delete those messages because you knew you were very, very badly in the wrong in the bar that night?” asked Mr Blackman.

“That’s not true,” said Simeonidis.

When he returned to the dock after giving evidence, Simeonidis broke down in tears.

He described being charged as the “most stressful time in his life” and said he “knew at that moment” that his “career was finished”.

Simeonidis, from Milton Keynes, denies sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration.

The trial continues.