"The Pride flag is a symbol of inclusivity and celebrates the diversity of the queer community" says Warwickshire Pride in response to the controversial request by Warwickshire County Council's leader, for the Pride flag at Shire Hall to be taken down.

Reform UK's Cllr George Finch caused controversy at the helm of the local authority, a week into the role, after he told chief executive Monica Fogarty to take down the banner which has been flying outside the council's headquarters during Pride month.

Ms Fogarty refused to do so, with the flag only taken down at the end of June as was already planned.

An email from the chief exec, published by The Telegraph to the 18-year-old, who stepped in as interim leader after Cllr Rob Howard's 41-day stint as leader came to an end, said: "I am afraid I will not be taking the action that you are requesting."

Warwickshire Pride has since released a statement, responding to the controversial request by Cllr Finch: "We have been made aware that the Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Council (WCC), Monica Fogarty, is being targeted by the Reform party and fringe press for not taking down the Pride flag currently flying outside of WCC headquarters for Pride month.

"In response to a request from the acting leader of WCC and member of the Reform party that the flag be taken down, the Chief Executive pointed out that it was not within the acting leader's purview.

"The Chief Executive has delegated authority over which flags are flown. WCC councillors would need to amend policy in order to revoke that delegated authority.

"This point of procedure has resulted in a vitriolic attack from the Reform party's national leadership, with their previous party chairman declaring in an outburst of borderline hysteria that 'a coup d'etat is underway in Britain' and that control of the country had been seized, though he reassured his followers that there were as yet "no tanks on the streets".

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"Warwickshire Pride firmly stands behind Monica Fogarty's decision to keep the Pride flag flying and for standing up for the rights and rules of local government.

"The Pride flag is a symbol of inclusivity and celebrates the diversity of the queer community.

"We urge WCC's acting leader, George Finch, to focus on managing Warwickshire County Council for all its residents and doing the work of improving its services.

"We look forward to seeing the Pride flag return for next year's Pride month, but please let us know if you do see any tanks wandering round Warwickshire's backroads!"