A ROW has broken out after a British National Party (BNP) member claimed he has been told to stop flying his Union Flag because of his political beliefs.

Patrick Sullivan, 70, said he had realised a dream in putting up his 20ft flag pole outside his sheltered housing bungalow in High Woods, Colchester.

It means he can display some of his collection of hundreds of flags gathered since his time in the merchant navy.

But he said while the flag pole does not break planning conditions because it is not more than 20ft high, he has been told by Colchester Borough Homes, which owns his home, that he must take it down because there have been complaints via the ward councillor for the area Beverley Oxford.

The flag pole was put up earlier this week.

“I am very patriotic. I was in the merchant navy and I have always loved putting the flags up, and with my mast I have now got a collection I can fly.

“It has cost me a lot of money, but now it seems I will have to take it down.

“Not long ago, the Prime Minister said every Government building should fly the Union flag, so I am just following him in what he says.

“I want to fly flags corresponding with important days too, like Australia day and things like that.”

Mr Sullivan, who stood in the last election as a prospective ward councillor for High Woods, said he thinks the decision is based on his BNP membership.

But Mrs Oxford said Mr Sullivan put the mast up without warning neighbours, and it was very close to some of the nearby properties including that of an 89-year-old woman.

“I have not seen it yet, but I am told there are six flags on the one flagpole, which would seem a bit excessive to me.

“Having them flap about near your property would be a bit disturbing, particularly if you are 89,” said Independent Mrs Oxford.

She said three neighbours had complained, adding it had “absolutely nothing” to do with Mr Sullivan being a member of the BNP.

But she said the decision to ask him to take them down rested with Colchester Borough Homes as, due to the height, it was not breaking any planning laws.