Elliott Stanley, co-founder of the Raise the Colours flagging movement, has officially confirmed his split from former associate Ryan Bridge and pledged to abstain from any further flagging activities. Mr Stanley, a Birmingham businessman, stated he has no current involvement with Bridge or the Raise the Colours group and has not actively taken part in its operations since February of this year.
Mr Stanley appeared before Judge Emma Kelly at the High Court in Birmingham on Tuesday, 8 September, during a civil hearing concerning an injunction application brought by Birmingham City Council aimed at halting flagging across the city. Alongside Mr Stanley and Mr Bridge, five other defendants – Billy Allison, Julian Keane, Ross Childs, Mark Keating and Ben Cullen – were named in the injunction, as well as a ‘persons unknown’ defendant to broadly cover any others involved.
The hearing was adjourned until 30 September to allow defendants adequate time to prepare any contradictory evidence and to facilitate attendance by all parties.
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Birmingham City Council alleges that since August 2025, the defendants have been unlawfully affixing flags to various street fixtures including lampposts, lighting columns, street signs, railings, bridges and barriers within the city without the council’s permission or any statutory authorisation.
Waqar Ahmed, Director of Community Safety, Resilience and Cohesion at Birmingham City Council, stated in a witness statement that the defendants have not conducted themselves peacefully, describing their behaviour as aggressive and accusing them of harassing and intimidating local residents and communities. Mr Ahmed noted that the flagging activities took place at all hours, causing disruption and amounts to unlawful attachment of flags.
Furthermore, the council alleges that the defendants confronted residents opposing their activities, including council contractors removing flags, engaging in conduct described as anti-social and dangerous. Such behaviour is said to contravene Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 and contribute to public nuisance. The council expressed concern over the serious risk of physical and psychological harm posed to other highway users, local residents, and contractors.
At the hearing, 45-year-old Mr Stanley offered a formal undertaking to refrain from participating in or promoting any flagging activities within Birmingham. This legal promise, accepted by the council, also includes a commitment not to harass, intimidate or abuse individuals opposed to such operations, effective on an interim basis pending a full injunction hearing.
Judge Kelly emphasised the seriousness of this undertaking, cautioning Mr Stanley that any breach could result in contempt of court proceedings and possible imprisonment.
Similarly, fellow defendant Julian Keane, also known as ‘Elon’, provided a comparable undertaking. Neither Mr Stanley nor Mr Keane are required to attend the next interim injunction hearing on 30 September but may be called upon in subsequent hearings regarding a permanent injunction. The council has indicated it will not seek costs against either individual at this stage.
Following the hearing, Mr Stanley reiterated that he has distanced himself from the group for several months and has ceased flagging activities. He confirmed his split with Mr Bridge, with whom he reportedly exchanged hostile remarks prior to court. Inside the courtroom, the two men sat apart and refrained from communication.
Originally, Mr Stanley and Mr Bridge jointly led the Raise the Colours group, which also included a fundraising initiative to support flagging in welcoming communities across south Birmingham. They were frequently present together at protests addressing asylum seeker accommodations and campaigning on issues related to illegal immigration.
Mr Stanley, a father of four, has previously expressed that the aim of raising flags was rooted in patriotism and community unity, while also highlighting concerns regarding immigration policy in the UK. Last year, he was part of a group that repeatedly returned to Stirchley despite facing opposition. Critics displayed signs reading ‘Brummies united against racism’ and ‘resist the far right’ during confrontations.
At the time, Mr Stanley firmly denied any association with fascism or far-right groups, stating, “I don’t want anyone to be intimidated. I refute that. We’re not trying to intimidate anyone at all.”
Regarding the continued flagging efforts in Stirchley, he remarked, “We did junction two of the M42, then came up through Hopwood, up through Kings Norton, through Cotteridge and ended up coming down Stirchley. All those miles we did, we had no resistance or hostility until we got to Stirchley. People are taking mixed messages from what we’re doing. All it is, is about patriotism.”