Flag of St George 'offends' Muslims. Really?

There is some coverage in newspapers today on the decision of a local authority in Somerset not to fly the flag of St George on civil buildings. The coverage invariably rehashes the ‘offensive to Muslims’ narrative with the Daily Mail headlining ‘Rural council votes to stop flying flag of St George claiming it is offensive to town’s 16 Muslims because of links to CRUSADES’, the Daily Express, ‘Town votes against flying St George’s flag as it might be ‘offensive’ to Muslims’ and the Daily Telegraph, ‘Council vetoes flag of St George after concerns raised about links to Crusades’.

The newspapers report the views of one local councillor, Eleanor Jackson, who is reported as speaking at the council meeting saying: “My big problem is that it is offensive to some Muslims, but even more so that it has been hijacked by the far right.

“My thoughts are we ought to drop it for 20 years.”

And while the papers include quotes from spokespersons for the Muslim Council of Britain and the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, countering views that Muslims could be offended by such a decision, it is only the final sentence in the Daily Telegraph report which provides greater insight into the decision taken.

“Lesley Mansell, the council chair, insisted that the discussion focused primarily on buying a Union flag.

“The statement made by one councillor regarding the St George’s flag was not really taken into consideration.”

How interesting.