Keir Starmer has insisted he is a "support of flags" but warned against devaluing and belittling them.

The Prime Minister said he was “very encouraging” of people putting up national flags.

When asked whether people putting up the Union and St George’s Cross flags in the wake of asylum hotel protests could be considered racist, Sir Keir told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I am supporter of flags.”

He added: “I am the leader of the Labour Party who put the Union Jack on our Labour Party membership cards. I always sit in front of the Union Jack. I’ve been doing it for years, and it attracted a lot of comment when I started doing it.”

The Prime Minister also said his family has “got St George’s flag in our flat” in Downing Street.

He went on: “I’m very encouraging of flags. I think they’re patriotic and I think they’re a great symbol of our nation.

“I don’t think they should be devalued and belittled. I think sometimes when they’re used purely for divisive purposes, actually it devalues the flag.

“I don’t want to see that. I’m proud of our flag.”

Flags have started appearing on lampposts, across motorway bridges and along streets in the UK in recent weeks.

The Union Flag and St George's flag - which do not often appear outside sporting, royal or military events - have been pictured in several English cities, while red crosses have been painted over white mini-roundabouts and on zebra-crossings.

During recent anti-migrant protests in the UK, some have been seen carrying or wearing the Union Flag and St George's flag.