A council leader has claimed the St George's Cross is "intimidating" and it would be naive to suggest it had not been hijacked by the far right. Nick Ireland, the Liberal Democrat leader of Dorset Council, said moves to fly the St George's Cross and Union flag across the country has been "co-opted" by such groups to "promote" their agenda.

Mr Ireland said: "For me, patriotism means working hard to improve the lives of our communities, holding our institutions to account and making sure we live up to our values." He added the fact both flags have been used as emblems for far right movements meant some locals felt "intimidated".

Flags have been flown from bridges, lampposts and buildings as part of an online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours. It has also seen red lines painted on zebra crossings and mini-roundabouts, leading to clashes between those taking part and local councils, which have been removing the banners or scrubbing off the paint.

The flag-flying began after Birmingham City Council announced it would remove hundreds of flags attached to lampposts in the city over recent weeks. It has now spread to more towns and cities, including London.

Mr Ireland told the BBC that what had begun as an "explosion of patriotism" has turned into intimidation. He encouraged people to display flags at home, at community events or on flagpoles.

The council leader said Dorset has a duty to remove the red crosses which have appeared on mini-roundabouts across the county in part because they are a road safety hazard.

His comments come as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said it is "shameful" of councils to remove St George's Cross flags. She claimed local rules were being enforced "selectively".

Writing in the Daily Mail, Ms Badenoch said the flying of English flags should be "welcomed", rather than "seen as an act of rebellion".

She said: "After years of politicisation by those who seek to diminish England's culture and Christian heritage, it is encouraging to see English flags flown proudly as symbols of unity, nationhood and optimism.

"So, it is shameful that some councils have scrambled to remove them at the first opportunity, even in the lead-up to VJ Day, while leaving banners of other nations and political causes untouched.

"This is not about by-laws or policy. Councils will say they are enforcing local rules, but the point is they apply those rules selectively."

Ms Badenoch pointed to hesitation on the part of some councils to "address the widespread appearance of Palestinian flags" as an example of "those using power to push a sectarian agenda".

Earlier this week, Downing Street said the Prime Minister is "absolutely" supportive of people who put up English flags.

Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: "I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels.

"I think he's talked about that previously [...] not least recently in relation to the Lionesses' successful campaign in the Euros. Patriotism will always be an important thing to him."