High Court Injunction Halts Raise the Colours Flag Campaign in Oxfordshire

On 23 June 2026 the High Court granted Oxfordshire County Council an injunction that bars Raise the Colours from attaching England’s St George’s flag to any council-owned lamp-post or highway structure. The order also bans painting flags on roads, harassing removal staff, and encouraging others. Four leaders—Ryan Bridge, Ben Cullen, Trudy Wells and Kevin Good—signed undertakings to comply, and the injunction applies to “persons unknown”.

The Guardian

Raise the Colours began affixing St George’s flags to fixtures in August 2025, framing the act as a celebration of English identity. Oxfordshire council argued the practice escalated into intimidation, citing flag placements on lamp-posts near council employees and a January 2026 incident where a councillor’s street was targeted with flags and hostile emails. The council called the conduct unlawful interference with highways and staff harassment.

The Guardian

August 2025 – Flag-hoisting campaign launches.

The Guardian

January 2026 – Flags placed on a councillor’s street; abusive emails sent.

The Guardian

23 June 2026 – High Court grants injunction; defendants sign undertakings.

The Guardian

Oxfordshire Council’s filing described the defendants as “repeatedly and unlawfully” attaching flags, “obstructing” council employees and contractors, and using “naming and shaming” tactics. Mr Justice Dias affirmed the council’s stance and clarified that Bridge may continue raising flags on his private property, as he is legally entitled to do. The defendants each pledged to cease flag-raising on council property and signed written undertakings.

The Guardian

Ryan Bridge called the injunction bullying, while lamenting a sad day for the flag of the country. Ben Cullen initially wanted to keep raising flags but later agreed to comply, and Trudy Wells said she would have nothing to do with the flags any more. The group frames the order as an infringement on expressive activity.

The Guardian

Council documents note that a councillor’s street was flagged in January 2026 and the official received hostile emails. Staff and contractors removing flags also reported intimidation.

The Guardian

The ruling underscores local authorities’ ability to curb unauthorized use of public infrastructure and addresses concerns about intimidation of council staff, while raising questions about the limits of expressive conduct on public property.

The Guardian

The injunction’s scope leaves ambiguity over permissible flag-raising on private property versus council land.

The Guardian

• “It is a sad day for the flag of our country and what it represents.” — Ryan Bridge, Raise the Colours leader

The Guardian

• “bullying tactics” — Ryan Bridge, describing the council’s approach

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• “The named defendants and others have also obstructed the claimant’s employees and contractors while they have sought to remove flags from highway structures, and/or attempted to intimidate the claimant’s employees and contractors by ‘naming and shaming’ them.” — Oxfordshire County Council (court documents)

The Guardian

• “A member of the council has been targeted. In January 2026, flags were attached to lamp-posts in her street and she has been subjected to hostile and abusive emails.” — Oxfordshire County Council (court documents)

The Guardian

Council will enforce the injunction.

The Guardian