Farage stands by Reform stance amid Pride protests

Nigel Farage has stood by his party's stance on whether to support Pride events, stating he is "fine" with them going ahead but did not want local authorities to promote them.

The Reform UK leader spoke at a rally he held at Kimberley Hall in Wymondham, Norfolk, on Tuesday.

His comments came as a protest was held outside County Hall in Norwich, where demonstrators flew Pride Progress flags at the entrance to the council. The flag was pulled down from the building last month.

"It absolutely isn't for local government to get involved in these things," said Farage.

He added: "Any community can get together and celebrate what they are or where they want to go. That's fine.

"We're not stopping anybody. We're not saying you shouldn't do it.

"We're not taking a sort of high moral ground and looking down on anyone.

"Do what you like, but don't expect local government or police forces to promote it."

The removal of Pride flags from County Hall has become a political flashpoint in Norfolk, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

There has also been confusion over the Reform-led council's views on Pride Month book displays in libraries.

A cabinet member had suggested that political messaging, events and displays at libraries - including Pride - would be prohibited.

But County Hall officials then said its policies remained unchanged.

A Pride event is due to be held in Norwich this weekend.

The organisers of the protest on Tuesday, held before a full county council meeting, said the demonstration was intended to be a "peaceful act of defiance against Reform's petty decision to stop flying the Pride Progress flag".

"This rainbow display is in solidarity with council workers who oppose the decision not to fly the Pride Progress flag and have felt unsupported, and with all queer people and allies in Norfolk."

During the meeting, Green Party and Liberal Democrat councillors could be seen with small Pride Progress flags attached to their microphones.

David Bick, leader of the council, also fought off criticism about the council's decision to remove the Ukrainian flag from County Hall in June.

He said the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, had told him "flags were not the issue, substance matters over symbols".

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