Sunderland Council should fly England flag during World Cup

Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland are calling on council chiefs in the city to show support for the England team by flying the nation's flag at City Hall during the world cup.

In 2018 Lib Dem councillor for Grindon and Thorney Close Stephen O'Brien branded Sunderland Council bosses killjoys for refusing to fly the St George's flag at the old Civic Centre during the world cup.

The Council later u-turned on the decision, agreeing to fly the flag on England's match days during the tournament.

Now Councillor O'Brien wants the Council's Leader to once again agree to flying the England flag at the authority's new City Hall offices for the duration of the tournament - or at least on match days.

Commenting, Lib Dem councillor Stephen O'Brien said:

"It has been really disappointing not to see the St George's cross flying from the flagpoles at the Council's City Hall since the World Cup started. Local people are paying through the nose for the Council to rent these swanky new offices - the least they can do is fly our country's flag during the World Cup.

"Just because the Leader of the Council is a Scotland fan and they didn't make it to the finals it doesn't mean he can't fly the England flag to support our team during the World Cup!

"I hope that Sunderland's residents from other World Cup nations will also be flying their flags and adding to the vibrancy of our diverse city."