EU referendum: England flags removed from polling station over fears of Brexit bias

Council officials removed the flags after vote complaints
Christopher Lewis

England flags were removed from a London polling station amid fears they may impact the EU referendum result.

Voters complained the St George's cross made the Mayfield Cricket Club in Palmers Green look like "an EDL rally".

The Electoral Commission confirmed it had contacted the polling station after receiving complaints about the flags.

Product manager Christopher Lewis, 29, was among those who visited the club to cast his vite.

He told the Standard: "It wasn't that it was shocking to see the flags, it was that they should have been removed before the election.

"I think any symbol like the St George's flag has become a dog whistle for the Brexit campaign."

A statement from Enfield Council said the flags were on display after an England Euro 2016 game and were taken down after voter complaints.

The statement read: “St George’s flags were hanging in the private sports club as part of the club’s celebration of Euro 2016.

“They were removed promptly this morning by Enfield Council staff.”

Mr Lewis added that he though the Council's decision was right according to the electoral commission rules.

He added: "I can only imagine this story if they were European Union flags.

"It was just so many flags and I would have thought they'd have removed them before the vote."

A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission confirmed they contacted the polling station after receiving complaints from voters.

She said: “These are public buildings so a lot of them have been celebrating events like the Queen’s birthday and the Euro 2016.

“We advised the polling station that if they are getting complaints from voters they should take them down.”

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