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A Derby Brexit Party councillor has welcomed the flying of the Union flag on the Council House on January 31, the day earmarked for Britain to leave the EU.
Councillor Alan Graves claims he had personally asked for the flag to be flown because “it marks independence for Britain” and the occasion should be celebrated.
But Derby City Council says the flag would have been flying anyway, irrespective of the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Mr Graves said: “I was pleased when I was told it would be flying after the council said it needed to check out what the protocol was for the occasion from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
“Quite simply, this is one of the most important occasions in British history for decades. But I think there is also consideration of those people who did not want to leave the EU taking place.”
Derby City Council told Derbyshire Live that the Union flag flies every day from the main flagpole of the Council House.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We have not put in place any special arrangements for 31 January.”
But Mr Graves stands by his original claim and said: “I was told that there is a protocol of what flags to fly and when.
“They do not always fly the Union flag because sometimes they fly other flags depending on what the protocol says.
“I was ensuring that on such an important date as leaving the EU we should show our support for the true independence of Britain. Our sovereign nation.
“I do not care what reason the council gives but I do care about my country and I am satisfied that I have influenced the flying of the British Union flag on such an important date.”
Meanwhile, the Government has announced that Union flags will be flown from all the flag poles in Parliament Square on January 31 to mark Brexit Day.
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And a laser light show clock will be projected on to the walls of 10 Downing Street, counting down to 11pm.
Earlier on the same day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a cabinet meeting in the north of England before delivering a “special address” from Downing Street.
A specially minted Brexit 50p will also come into circulation on January 31, which reads Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.
Last year, plans were in hand for a £10 coin in time for the original date of leaving on March 29 last year, and then the plan was changed for a 50p coin in mass circulation for the revised date of October 31.
The postponement of the October date led to thousands of coins being melted down.
Royal Mail has declined to produce any commemorative stamps.
Brexit Party national leader Nigel Farage has said he would like to see a “Leave means Leave” celebration outside Parliament on January 31.
On the previous two aborted leaving dates, demonstrations took place outside Parliament and ended in clashes between police and protestors.
Meanwhile in Brussels, it has been suggested that the Union Jack is likely to be taken down and placed in a museum.
But it is increasingly unlikely that Big Ben will not chime out Britain’s exit from the EU after it was revealed that around £500,000 would be needed to install temporary flooring in St Elizabeth’s Tower, which is already undergoing renovation.
Although public money has been donated, the Government has indicated that accepting it will produce logistical problems.
