LIVE REPORTING: Council in High Court Bid to Ban City Flag Displays

🔴 LIVE REPORTING: BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL HIGH COURT INJUNCTION

Birmingham City Council has launched High Court proceedings to secure an injunction against key figures in the "Raise the Colours" movement, seeking enhanced legal powers to deter the unauthorised display of flags on public infrastructure across the city.

The local authority has acted following a year of escalating complaints regarding alleged harassment, intimidation, and anti-social behavior linked to the widespread placing of Union and St George's Cross flags on council-owned street furniture, lampposts, and highway bridges. The council alleges the actions, framed by organisers as a patriotic campaign launched as a reaction to the government handling of illegal immigration, go beyond issues of highway inconvenience or safety issues and are affecting community cohesion and the rights of ordinary residents.

Presiding over the application at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre on Bull Street, High Court Judge Emma Kelly is considering whether to grant interim injunctive relief—potentially backed by powers of arrest—to restrict illegal flagging operations pending a full trial.

• Hearing Location: Court 205, Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, Bull Street
• Presiding Judge: High Court Judge Emma Kelly
• Applicant: Birmingham City Council (represented by Jonathan Manning)
• Primary Defendants: Ryan Bridge, Billy Allison, Ben Cullen and 'Persons Unknown‘, including the ‘Birmingham Five’ representing minority communities.
• Core Legal Issues: S.132 Highways Act 1980 (unauthorized attachments), public nuisance, proportionality of injunctive relief, and Articles 10 & 11 ECHR rights (freedom of expression and assembly)

LIVE REPORTING ⬇️

🔴 16:05

HEARING ADJOURNED UNTIL NOVEMBER

Her Honour Judge Kelly ruled it “not appropriate” to begin the defense arguments this afternoon. The interim injunction hearing has been adjourned to 10:30am on Monday, November 2 ⬇️

🔴 16:00

COUNCIL CONCLUDES CASE AT HIGH COURT

Jonathan Manning has finished his submissions on behalf of Birmingham City Council. Ryan Bridge’s defence counsel, Dr Liam Wells, raised concerns over the time needed for their submissions given the late hour ⬇️
🔴 15:47

RESTLESS PUBLIC GALLERY

After sitting through nearly four solid hours of council evidence in a warm, windowless room, the public gallery is growing restless. The court has still not heard from the defendants ⬇️

🔴 15:44

FINAL SUBMISSIONS FROM COUNCIL

Mr Manning made his final summary, reiterating the council's goal to prevent any unauthorised flags or attachments on street furniture, noting the act is a criminal offence regardless ⬇️

🔴 15:23

JUDGE QUERIES POWER OF ARREST

Judge Kelly pressed the council on the necessity of a power of arrest, noting breaches are already contempt or criminal. Manning argued it allows police to act swiftly on suspicion ⬇️

🔴 15:13

COUNCIL CONCLUDES THREE-HOUR CASE

Mr Manning summed up by citing threats and harassment. After nearly three hours of council evidence, it looks increasingly unlikely that Ryan Bridge's defence will be fully heard today ⬇️

🔴 15:05

JUDGE PRESSES COUNCIL TO CONCLUDE

Judge Kelly urged Mr Manning to move to legal arguments, expressing concern the case won't conclude today. The council outlined why a power of arrest clause is strictly necessary ⬇️

🔴 15:04

DEFENCE TEAM RELEASES STATEMENT

Raise the Colours issued a statement defending freedom of expression. Barrister Dr Liam Wells will argue the proposed order is excessively broad and interferes with Bridge's human rights ⬇️

🔴 14:44

FUNDING PLEAS SHOWN TO JUDGE

Livestreams were played showing Bridge asking followers for funding to fight the case. In one video, he tells his audience that the government is running scared from their movement ⬇️

🔴 14:40

VIDEO EVIDENCE PLAYED IN COURT

The council played footage of Bridge blocking a road with a Stop sign while flags were put up. Another video showed him aggressively insisting to a resident that flags would go up regardless ⬇️

🔴 14:27

HATEFUL ABUSE DIRECTED AT COUNCILLORS

The court hears that councillors speaking out against the flags have received shocking messages. Mr Manning highlighted threats, abuse, and baseless slurs labelling individuals as 'paedophiles' ⬇️

🔴 14:19

'PERSONS UNKNOWN' STEP FORWARD

Five men opposing the injunction have arrived at court identifying as 'persons unknown'. Judge Kelly agreed to hear their representations once the council and defence have concluded their cases ⬇️

🔴 14:17

PROCEEDINGS RESUME

The hearing has resumed in court room 205. The council advised the judge that defendant Ben Cullen confirmed he was aware of the hearing but had no intention of taking part in the case ⬇️

🔴 13:06

COURT ADJOURNS FOR LUNCH

The case has paused for lunch. The council expects to conclude its arguments in 40 minutes, after which the court will hear from Bridge and anyone else wishing to make representations ⬇️

🔴 12:59

THREATS TO COMMUNITY SAFETY

The council asserts the flagging has severely impacted the city. Police officers, councillors, and an MP all reported threats to safety, leading to a drain on police and council resources ⬇️

🔴 12:53

FEAR AND DISTRESS IN THE COMMUNITY

Mr Manning read statements from residents of various ethnicities and faiths who reported feeling nervous. Locals claimed they were filmed by flaggers, causing widespread fear and distress ⬇️

🔴 12:45

MP AND COUNCILLORS SPEAK OUT

Evidence highlights harassment experienced by locals. MP Al Carns reported over 120 constituent complaints, while Cllr Knowles referenced a Stirchley incident resulting in a broken leg⬇️

🔴 12:29

BAN APPLIES TO ALL FLAGS

The council stressed it is not taking a partisan position. Manning clarified the injunction seeks to prohibit all unauthorised attachments, including Palestinian and LGBTQ+ flags on street furniture ⬇️

🔴 12:28

DEFENDANT DENIES HARASSMENT

Bridge’s written statement insists he has not breached civil or criminal law. He reiterates that an injunction with a power of arrest is unnecessary and would infringe on his freedom of expression ⬇️

🔴 12:24

AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIOUR

The council’s Director of Community Safety states flaggers have harassed residents and contractors day and night. The behaviour is described in written evidence as anti-social and dangerous ⬇️

🔴 12:15

PATTERN OF INTIMIDATION CLAIMED

Jonathan Manning outlines a 12-month pattern of incidents involving abuse. He cites Cllr Izzy Knowles feeling intimidated after being surrounded by flaggers during an incident in Moseley ⬇️

🔴 11:45

THREE NAMED DEFENDANTS REMAIN

Judge Kelly confirms the council's case is now proceeding against only three named individuals: Ryan Bridge, Billy Allison, and Ben Cullen, in addition to 'persons unknown' ⬇️

🔴 11:42

COUNCIL ACCUSED OF ERRORS

Bridge alleges a "catalogue of errors" by the council, including failing to notify residents of the injunction and failing to provide a coherent case to justify the urgent High Court action ⬇️

🔴 11:36

"ATTEMPT TO SILENCE ME"

Bridge's statement claims the council is using draconian methods to silence legitimate political opinions. He argues the application is an improper attempt to push a pointed political agenda ⬇️

🔴 11:34

NEW EVIDENCE STATEMENT SHARED

Bridge has served a new witness statement to the council and court, fiercely rebutting the claims. He asserts his right to freely express his political views by publicly displaying the national flag ⬇️

🔴 11:27

FRUSTRATION OVER PAPERWORK

Judge Kelly expressed frustration over how the council served papers. The council confirmed defendant Ben Cullen was served but told them in a phone call he had no interest in participating ⬇️

🔴 11:18

JUDGE EXPLAINS UNDERTAKINGS

The judge warns that signing the undertaking means committing not to put up flags without authority or harass contractors. Flouting this order could lead to severe consequences including fines ⬇️

🔴 11:08

COUNCIL OPENS ITS CASE

Council representative Jonathan Manning confirms named defendants Julian Keane, Elliot Stanley, Mark Keating, and Ross Child have offered legal undertakings. The council has accepted these ⬇️

🔴 11:03

PACKED PUBLIC GALLERY

Judge Emma Kelly has taken her seat in a packed courtroom. An overflow room with a live video link is being set up to accommodate the remaining members of the public unable to get a seat ⬇️

🔴 10:59

FLAG ART PROJECT IS "TREASONOUS"

Bridge has described a council artwork made from removed flags as "treasonous". He also confirmed there was no argument with co-founder Elliot Stanley, who stepped back for family and business reasons ⬇️

🔴 10:33

SUPPORTERS ARRIVE AT COURT

A group of around 20 Raise the Colours supporters have arrived outside the courtroom seeking entry to the public gallery. There is a short delay before proceedings get underway ⬇️

🔴 10:29

PLEA ON LEGAL COSTS

Bridge's new witness statement asks the court to refuse the interim injunction. He also refuses to accept a limited undertaking to stop raising flags. He has also formally requested that no order for costs be made against him at this stage ⬇️

🔴 10:26

DEFENDANT VOWS TO FIGHT

Waiting outside Court 205, Bridge appeared confident and declared he will fight the case. He stated he shouldn't be criminalised for flying the national flag and wants the threat of arrest dropped ⬇️

🔴 10:26

WALSALL MURDER REFERENCED

Bridge told VP News he will not "crawl under a rock", referencing the murder of Walsall hotel worker Rhiannon Skye White. He stated his job is to maintain British passion and fly the flag ⬇️

🔴 09:55

ASIAN SUPPORTERS EXPECTED

Bridge told our reporter he expects friends from Muslim, Pakistani, and Indian communities to join him today. He added that his group would never tear down other people's Palestinian or LGBTQ+ flags ⬇️️

🔴 09:46

TIGHT SECURITY AT COURT

Our reporter confirms there are currently no supporters of Raise the Colours in the queue. Security is tight, with mandatory bag checks and wand detection required before entry ⬇️

🔴 09:42

"WE ARE LOSING OUR IDENTITY"

Speaking outside court, Bridge claimed Raise the Colours is not racist but stated Britain is being "invaded on a daily basis". He said the movement is about national pride and making people feel safe ⬇️

🔴 09:25

BRIDGE PLEDGES TO STOP FLAGGING

In his defence papers, Bridge has offered a legal undertaking to never again put up flags unlawfully. The council previously rejected this, seeking a full injunction with powers of arrest ⬇️️

🔴 09:21

DEFENDANT WAITS OUTSIDE COURT

The scene outside the civil courts remains quiet this morning. Defendant Ryan Bridge has already arrived and is waiting outside the building ahead of the proceedings ⬇️

🔴 09:19

EMERGENCY INJUNCTION HEARING TODAY

Welcome to our coverage. Birmingham City Council is pursuing an emergency injunction to stop Ryan Bridge and others from placing flags on lampposts and bridges. The hearing is before High Court Judge Emma Kelly

🔴 09:12

FLAGGING SUPPORTERS CALLED TO COURT

Ryan Bridge, primary defendant and co-founder of Raise the Colours, has called for supporters to turn up outside court today. Thousands of pounds have reportedly been donated to fund his legal fees ⬇️