Birmingham judge sets urgent deadline in council bid to ban flagging

A Birmingham judge has imposed urgent deadlines ahead of a High Court hearing next week where the city council will seek an injunction to stop flagging operations, with defendants required to submit evidence by Friday afternoon. Her Honour Judge Emma Kelly ordered seven named men linked to the Raise the Colours group, plus any "persons unknown" flaggers, to file outline evidence by 4pm on Friday, September 4. The council, which calls the action a "last resort," cites abuse, threats, intimidation, and public safety risks, supported by witness statements and video footage. The hearing is set for 10:30am on Tuesday, September 8, at Birmingham Civil Courts, expected to last three hours. The council must serve documents, notify potential parties via media releases, and provide its full hearing bundle by Monday, September 7. Approximately 20,000 flags are currently flying across the city.