A Reform leader is demanding that a Ukrainian flag be taken down from outside a town hall, newly released correspondence shows.
The party was already in dispute with Warwickshire County Council’s chief executive over the Progress Pride, which it wanted removed.
The emblem was one of three flags, also including the Ukraine and county banners, that had been aloft in Warwick over the summer.
Council leader Cllr George Finch only wants the Union, St George’s and county flags to fly, in line with his party’s national policy.
The rainbow emblem was taken down after Pride month ended but the Ukraine flag has remained ahead of a council vote on the issue.
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Nigel Farage had waded into the row, claiming that chief executive Monica Fogarty ‘knew better than the people’ and should ‘look for a new job’.
In correspondence released under the Freedom of Information Act, Cllr Finch specified that only three Reform-approved flags should be on display after Armed Forces Week at the end of June.
He wrote: ‘Flags of our country and county are to be prioritised over flags of foreign countries and politically motivated symbols.’
Requests to fly other flags other than those displaying royal or Armed Forces symbols would need to be approved by the chair of the council under the formal policy, which is due to go to a vote on Thursday.
Cllr Finch also asked: ‘Why will the Ukraine flag take precedent over the County Flag or Union Flag?’
Ms Fogarty refused to take down the Pride flag, saying it had flown annually ‘for many years and I see no reason to diverge from this approach’ before it was lowered at the end of the LGBTQ+ month as planned.
In the correspondence, she informed Cllr Finch that planning permission was not needed to fly the symbol after he asked to see such documentation and referred him to government guidance on the matter.
Ms Fogarty wrote: ‘Whilst there may be Reform UK policies in place for your party nationally, those policies do not automatically become policies of Warwickshire County Council. I refer to my previous email regarding the need for an Executive decision to adopt a WCC Policy on Flag Flying.’
Warwickshire’s solidarity with Ukraine has included welcoming refugees from the country, fundraising for ambulances and through the local Queen’s Royal Hussars museum hosting a touring exhibition highlighting the commitment the UK Armed Forces continue to show their allies through Operation Interflex.
Cllr Heather Timms, who retired from the county council at the May elections but still serves for the Conservatives in Revel and Binley Woods, Rugby, said: ‘I do believe as a country we should continue to show our support for Ukraine and flag raising is a very visible method of doing that.’
The decision set to be taken by the Cabinet may have an impact on other local authorities, according to an assessment completed by the council, which reads: ‘As more councils are formalising their flag policies, others may be interested in the wording.’
Metro has approached both sides for comment.
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