A High Court judge has imposed a stringent timetable of deadlines in the lead-up to a hearing next week concerning Birmingham City Council’s application for an injunction against a group of flaggers responsible for erecting thousands of flags across the city.
Her Honour Judge Emma Kelly has published a list of orders ahead of the hearing scheduled for Tuesday 8 September at the civil courts in Birmingham, Bull Street. The council seeks to restrain members of the Raise the Colours group, who have displayed a variety of flags including Union Jacks, St George’s Crosses, and Palestinian flags.
Seven men named as defendants in the case must submit any outline evidence opposing the injunction by 4pm on Friday 4 September, if they intend to do so. The defendants are Ryan Bridge, Julian Keane (also known as Elon), Elliot Stanley, Ross Child (known as ‘Ross the Don’), Billy Allison, Ben Cullen, and Mark Keating. The injunction also targets any others who identify as flaggers or plan to engage in flagging in the future.
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The council has been ordered to actively ensure that all parties potentially affected by the case are notified of the forthcoming hearing. This includes issuing a media release to local news outlets, publishing details on the council’s website, and collaborating with West Midlands Police to disseminate information.
Court documents reveal the council’s recognition of the injunction as a ‘last resort’ measure, prompted by concerns over approximately 20,000 flags displayed across Birmingham and its surrounding areas. The council’s case is supported by witness statements, video footage, and imagery, some originating from the Raise the Colours group’s own social media channels.
These materials allege that the flaggers have engaged in abusive, threatening, and intimidating behaviour, posing risks to public safety.
Key orders detailed by Judge Kelly include:
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The hearing will begin at 10.30am on Tuesday 8 September and is expected to last about three hours. Defendants must attend in person or via videolink, depending on circumstances.
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The council was required to serve the injunction application on the named defendants by 4pm on Tuesday 2 September.
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The council must have notified any unnamed potential flaggers of the hearing by the same deadline, employing media releases, online postings, and cooperation with local police.
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A dedicated webpage containing all relevant court and claim documents has been established by the council.
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Direct email notification of the case and hearing date has been sent to Raise the Colours.
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Defendants and others eligible may submit their responses by the 4pm deadline on Friday 4 September.
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The council must provide its full hearing bundle, including skeleton arguments and legal authorities, to the court by 10am on Monday 7 September.
The council’s legal actions underscore escalating tensions around the extensive display of flags throughout the city. The upcoming hearing will determine the council’s ability to impose restrictions on the flagging activities.
Members of the public interested in expressing their support or opposition ahead of the hearing are invited to contact [email protected].