British town hall nixes flag due to safety

BOURNE, England, May 19 (UPI) -- A British council said the Union Jack will no longer fly over its town hall due to safety concerns about the 8-foot ladder used to hoist the flag.

Officials with the South Kesteven District Council said its town hall in Bourne, England, will no longer fly the British flag for occasions, including Armed Forces Day and the upcoming Queen's birthday June 14, because it is too dangerous for the site manager to climb an 8-foot ladder to install the flag on the building's pole, The Sun reported Tuesday.

Brian Fines, 72, a member of the council and former mayor as well as a former lieutenant colonel in the military, said the decision is an insult to veterans and armed services members.

"What a sad and sick society we're becoming," he said. "This despotic government's health and safety laws have prevented the council flying a flag from the building that's the hub of our town. We're told they're not allowed to use a ladder to access the mast, which is ridiculous. It's annoying and upsetting a lot of people."

Fines and others upset by the decision have suggested installing a new flag pole that would eliminate the safety concerns.

The council has not yet made a public response to the concerns.