England flags banned from housing organisation vans (From Times Series)

England flags banned from housing organisation vans

1:12pm Thursday 8th June 2006 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

The organisation that manages Barnet's social housing has banned England flags from its fleet of vehicles, it emerged this week.

As the England football team flew out to Germany this week, Barnet Homes issued the diktat to drivers after they enquired when they would be able to start flying the flag.

Donald Lyven, a decorator for the organisation, said he could not believe that Barnet Homes would stop drivers from visibly supporting England during the World Cup.

"I feel gutted, I can see no reason for it and I don't think Barnet Homes knows why it has banned it either," he said. "I have the flags ready in my van waiting for the go-ahead. It is a human resources issue, and I still haven't been given a proper reason yet."

In an email to Mr Lyven, Derek Rust, deputy chief executive of Barnet Homes and head of housing services, defended the organisation's position.

"The Barnet Homes position on this is that we are a professional social housing management organisation and that it is our sole business and responsibility to our customers in the community," he said. "We will not be permitting the display of World Cup-related football flags on the company vehicles."

Barnet Homes' move mirrors similar positions taken by a number of organisations which have banned the flying of the St George's Cross, and has spurred The Sun to launch a campaign to support the flag.

Barnet Council said this week that the issue had not been raised, but added that it would not be banning flags from its vehicles.