A Yorkshire patriot who hoisted flags aplenty around town has decried accusations of racism after he was slapped with a £2,300 fine.
He was handed the staggering fee from his local council for flying 64 flags around his town.
William Haylett, the owner of ‘Squeeky Clean Scarborough’ used his cherry picking vans, which are normally used for high-level property maintenance, to string up St George’s and Union Jack flags to lampposts across Filey and Whitby.
The 42-year-old previously told GB News he erected flags in order to unite the community and craft a sense of national pride.
Speaking to GB News presenter Dawn Neesom, Mr Haylett opened up about being laden with allegations of racism in the wake of the fine.
Dawn asked: “Do you feel that some people think that being loud and proud about your country’s flag and the England flag is somehow being racist and discriminatory?”
He said: “We’re getting called racist so far. And, you know, this this was happening years ago when I was growing up.
“We’re not racist. I’ve got Turkish friends, I’ve got Asian friends and I don’t know what’s going on.”
The local businessman insisted that he was simply trying to lift his community’s spirits
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GB NEWS
Last month, North Yorkshire Council directed contractors to pull down flags flying across Scarborough and further informed residents and businesses that the flags are considered “unauthorised”.
“Operation Raise the Colours” is a movement where Britons have been hoisting flags to lampposts and painting mini-roundabouts with the iconic crimson cross.
While proponents of the campaign insist its roots lie in patriotism, critics have hit out at those brandishing the flags, accusing them of stirring up division.
But Mr Haylett said that, in reaction to his decision to hoist the flags, “everyone’s just giving up” in his local area.
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He added the community has “just had enough”, adding: “It’s so sad. You know, it makes me really upset. Very upset.”
Discussing what spurred him on to hoist the Union Jacks, Mr Haylett said: “You have to cheer people up, to make people smile, to make people happy. You know what I mean?
“Just bring our community, lift it up a little bit. It was upsetting to see, you know, when we put the flags up, you know, people were happy, people were always smiling and had a swing in their step and stuff like that.
“So, you know, we kept going. So it is what it is.”
Mr Haylett is challenging the fine, issued under section 132 of the Highways Act and has contacted North Yorkshire Council this week to request evidence that he is responsible for each flag and their locations, including CCTV and witness statements and has questioned the legal basis for the allegation.
A letter from North Yorkshire Council to William Haylett, with a separate invoice for £2,321.28, dated November 18, reads: “The display of flags on our infrastructure without our consent, authorisation under an enactment, or reasonable excuse is an offence under section 132 of the Highways Act.
“The council can seek to recover costs incurred in removing such unauthorised enactments.
“On October 30/31, we removed 64 flags in the Scarborough area, believed to be your property and that you may wish us to return them.
“I attach a notice imposing an Obligation to Collect Goods which states that the council will only be prepared to return your flags on the basis that you reimburse the council with the costs of removal.
“On the basis that the flags were yours, this equates to £36.27 per flag plus VAT.
“To be clear, whether you wish to retrieve your flags or not, the council is seeking to pursue the total costs of their removal. An invoice will be sent to you under separate cover.”
A North Yorkshire Council spokesman said: “We are proud to support big national and regional occasions by flying a St George’s Cross or Union flag.
“However, we are aware of some residents across North Yorkshire feeling uncomfortable with the number of flags as well as graffiti.
“This does not reflect the inclusive and celebratory tone in which displaying the flags should be intended.
“We have also seen numerous examples of people putting themselves at risk to display flags on highways, bridges, and lampposts.
“We respect individuals’ rights to fly and paint flags on their own private property, but any unauthorised flags or markings on roundabouts and street furniture will be removed when resources allow, focusing on those which are a safety issue.”