Pakistan flags flying in Cardiff (Image: BBC)
Robert Jenrick declared that flying a Pakistani flag over Cardiff castle is an “insult” as a furious row erupted between Reform and the Conservatives. The Tories’ Natasha Asghar accused Reform UK of “trying to fuel and start a race row”.
And the Labour leader of Cardiff council admitted the Indian flag and the LGBTQ flag has flown over the castle. But Mr Jenrick, Nigel Farage’s economic spokesman, hit back last night declaring the Conservatives have “lost the plot”.
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He said: “I see the Tories have accused me of “trying to start a race row” for opposing the Pakistani flag being hoisted above Cardiff Castle.
“They have lost the plot. They somehow call it “integration”. Wrong. It’s an insult.
“Under a Reform government it will end. Pathetic attempts to cry foul will not stop us.
“The only flags flying over Cardiff castle will be the Welsh dragon or the Union Flag.”
Cardiff council said it flew the Pakistani flag for two days in August this year to mark the country’s Independence Day.
Cardiff council’s leader has told people to “stop the furore” over which flags are flown at Cardiff Castle. The council allows a number of flags to be flown to mark what the authority describes as “significant dates and occasions”.
And Natasha Asghar’s the Tory Senedd member for Casnewydd Islwyn said: “I have attended many flag hoisting ceremonies for the Indian community, the Pakistan diaspora, the Polish community, and I think they’ve all been fantastic events, well attended, from people from all different political walks of life.
“I strongly suggest Reform goes to these events to see how integration takes place, and how it’s not any form of takeover by any particular community, it’s just showing a form of respect to one another.
Asked about the comments about cultural domination, she said: “I’m really fed up of Reform trying to fuel and start a race row.”
“Reform pick up on these little stories to divert the public’s attention… [from] negative news stories,” Ms Asghar, who was not at the event in the Jenrick post, said.
Plaid Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts, added: “After an abysmal conference, Robert Jenrick is reaching for Reform’s favourite distraction – stir up division and hope nobody notices the chaos in his own party.
“Welsh identity is not threatened by another nation’s flag.”
Cardiff council leader Chris Weaver, said: “There’s a lot of misinformation online about Cardiff, so let’s correct the record.
“There was a ceremony held to raise the flag on the 9th August, after which the flag flew overnight. It was also flown on the 14th August, to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day.
“The occasion provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution of Pakistani communities to Cardiff’s diverse and multicultural city. We also did the same on 15th August to mark India’s Independence Day. We have a large number of civic events at the castle, this is very normal.
“As one of the city’s most prominent civic buildings, Cardiff Castle provides an important and visible way for the capital of Wales to recognise occasions of local, national, and international significance. When another flag is raised to mark a particular event or commemoration, it is flown alongside the flags of Wales and the United Kingdom.”