logo
Row breaks out in Peak District town as Pride flag is removed by council after complaints from Christians worried about 'the gay rights situation'

Row breaks out in Peak District town as Pride flag is removed by council after complaints from Christians worried about 'the gay rights situation'

Daily Mail​19-06-2025
A row has broken out in a spa town in the Peak District after a Pride flag was removed from by its council following complaints.
Matlock Town Council put up a number rainbow flags along its highstreet for the first time to mark the start of national Pride month, which takes place in June.
The flags were erected along with others including the St George's Cross and the union flag, which had previously hung above shop windows and were in need a refresh after becoming 'old and dirty'.
But just days after being displayed, one Pride flag has now been removed from the historic highstreet following a complaint from a Christian bookshop.
The Cornerstone Bookshop, which is run by a charitable Trust, admitted it had asked for the flag to be removed as it did not want to 'promote homosexuality'.
Judy Crook, who runs the bookshop, told the Guardian that as 'a point of basic Christian belief, we welcome everybody', but admitted 'we're not happy with the gay rights situation'.
'We have to respect other people's views. But we didn't want the flag flying outside our shop.'
The move has caused outrage among members of the LGBTQ+ community in Matlock as well as local residents, who have claimed the council bowed to pressure from the bookstore - which the local authority denies.
Cornerstone Bookshop praised the 'speedy removal' of the flag after raising concerns to the council and has rejected any accusations of homophobia.
In a joint statement, the Trust's trustees told the Derbyshire Times: 'Cornerstone Christian Bookshop is an inclusive organisation that wants to share the Christian faith with everyone.
'All are welcome to our bookshop, regardless of their sexuality.
'We would be delighted to fly the Derbyshire flag, the flag of St George or the Union Flag.
'However, we would decline to fly any flag representing specific political causes, as our aim is solely to promote the Christian faith.
'We note that there are many other places where the pride flag can be flown. As you will no doubt be aware, many other faith communities would also decline to fly this flag.'
The council later put out a statement saying it had removed the flag after fearing someone may remove it themselves and be injured doing so.
However, the bookshop denies making any threat to remove it themselves, according to The Derbyshire Times.
The council clerk, Simon Hosmer, said: 'We removed the flag due to a strong belief someone would put themselves in danger by removing it themselves.
'As a town council we can ill afford damage to property let alone damage to a person that we may be liable for.
'A lot of the local community are rightly upset that this has happened.
'It may look to people that we have bowed under the pressure of a single complaint. That is simply not the case.'
But locals in Matlock have been left outraged by the decision from the council to remove the flag, claiming it is 'appalling' and 'disgusting'.
Kate Bond, who lives in the Derbyshire town, said she donated £150 to the council to revitalise the flags but was dismayed when she heard the news.
'More than anything, what I'm bothered about is the fact that it's happened without anybody knowing about it. This sly little way it's been done, it's wrong somehow. If it's your idea to put them up, stand by it,' she told The Guardian.
Others on social media have also been strong in their condemnation of the council's move to remove the flag.
Angela Hardy said: 'This is appalling and I am keen to point out it does not reflect the views of all religions or even Christians.
'In my experience everyone is welcomed regardless of race, colour, age, sexuality or anything else.'
'I agree that their exclusive views should not be allowed to influence the council and the town as a whole.'
Eileen Gallagher added: 'This is absolutely disgusting [in] this day [and] age. The council should be ashamed for even pandering to these type of people.'
There have been a number of cases in towns and cities across the UK where rainbow flags have been torn down, stolen or vandalised earlier this year.
And in London a council has been warned of legal action over its plans to hang up trans-inclusive flags to mark Pride Month.
In collaboration with Westminster City Council, the Crown Estate, who own the majority of properties on Regent Street, plan to fly Progress Pride flags in 20 locations throughout the central London area between mid-June and mid-July.
But if the proposed decorations are hoisted into the air, the council, nicknamed 'Wokeminster' by its own chief executive Stuart Love, and the Crown Estate risk facing legal action from the Christian Legal Centre.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Telegraph that the Pride flags were an attack on traditional beliefs about sex and gender.
She warned that the Christian Legal Centre would have no option but to pursue legal action if the council chooses to proceed with the Pride display, arguing that everyone should feel welcome in Regent Street.
Ms Williams said: 'They send the message that people holding these views – which are worthy of respect in a democratic society – are not welcome.
'The majority of the public do not know the highly controversial and harmful symbolism presented by the Progress Pride Flag.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Perlight Black Grid solar panel review: best for long warranty
Perlight Black Grid solar panel review: best for long warranty

The Independent

time12 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Perlight Black Grid solar panel review: best for long warranty

This Perlight Black Grid review explores why this panel is a top choice for homeowners seeking both long-term performance and an extended warranty. It's part of our expert-reviewed guide to the best solar panels for UK homes. If you're weighing up whether solar panels are worth it, this review — and our full guide to the best solar panel installers — will help you make an informed decision. The Perlight Black Grid solar panel stands out in a crowded market, not only for its sleek design and solid efficiency but for offering one of the longest warranties available. Choosing the best solar panels for your home involves more than just headline specs, especially as installation is often the most expensive part of the total cost of solar panels. That's why long-term durability matters. Commercial solar growth has driven significant tech advances in recent years. Many panels now offer similar specs on paper — comparable power output, 25- to 30-year lifespans, and sleek all-black designs. But with installation often being the largest part of the overall , and British weather posing its own set of challenges, the stakes for getting the right system are high. While solar panel prices have dropped dramatically, thanks in part to China's manufacturing scale and innovation, installation costs remain high due to labour, scaffolding, and system integration. So it's worth considering the total system cost, not just the price per panel, when selecting the best panel for your home. Why choose the Perlight Black Grid? Price, installed: £895 to £1,195 per kW Efficiency: 26 per cent Wattage per panel: 500W Type: N-Type Made in: China Degradation: 87.4 per cent after 30 years Warranty: 30 years Founded in 2006, Perlight is a Chinese manufacturer of solar panels with a long track record. Its Black Grid solar panel offers an impressive 30-year warranty — five years longer than the industry standard — making it ideal for those looking to maximise long-term savings and reduce replacement concerns. This longer guarantee can offer extra peace of mind, particularly if you're financing your solar panel system over time or plan to remain in your home for decades. That said, many panels rated for 25 years will likely keep performing beyond their warranty period. In terms of performance, the Perlight Black Grid solar panel also offers better efficiency and a higher power rating, delivering 500W per panel, than other solar panels on our list. While the degradation rate is slightly lower than other top-tier models, it still holds up well, retaining nearly 87 per cent of output after 30 years. The company is also somewhat shy about filing facts about itself compared to its competitors, although it passes all the necessary regulatory hurdles. One downside is that Perlight isn't a Tier-1 manufacturer, meaning it hasn't been ranked by BloombergNEF for financial transparency and bankability. However, it has a long track record and its global footprint — shipping to over 100 countries — and compliance with international standards suggest a reliable product. The panels also have high pressure resistance, meaning they should be able to withstand the bumps, bangs and weather that 30 years on a roof will throw at them. The panels are built with high pressure resistance, which should help them withstand the UK's often unpredictable weather over several decades. Like most solar panels on the market today, these are manufactured in China, which has invested heavily in clean energy production and now dominates the global solar supply chain. China's lead in silicon refinement and solar R&D means many of the world's best solar panels come from Chinese firms. While the cost of panels has fallen by about 90% since 2000, installation costs have risen due to labour and inflation, so total system cost still needs careful budgeting. Pros: Market-leading 30-year warranty High efficiency and power output Cons: A 30-year product warranty is hard to come by in any product but Perlight offers one of the longest warranties available in the market Paul Evans, head of renewables at solar panel fitter Glow Green How we compiled our guide To compile our list, we spoke to experts on the ground and have broken down the top-performing brands based on real-world value, not just technical specs. We've prioritised long-term performance, value for money, and the reputation of the best solar panel installers in the UK. And if you're wondering if solar panels are worth it for your home, this guide is designed to help you make a smart, informed decision that pays off over time, whether you're upgrading an old array or fitting solar panels for the first time. Most panels are guaranteed for 25 years and offer similar power output, size, efficiency and looks. So we've weighted our judgement towards cost and degradation, which describes how much power the cells will provide after a number of years. The higher the percentage, the better. Much of your decision will also depend on which installer you go with, as many have preferred brands they work with due to bulk purchasing. You'll also see a lot of unfamiliar Chinese names as you do your research, but many of these are Tier-1 manufacturers in clean energy with strong track records in quality and durability. Why trust us

Trump criticised ‘terrible first minister' Sturgeon on flight back to US
Trump criticised ‘terrible first minister' Sturgeon on flight back to US

Glasgow Times

time12 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Trump criticised ‘terrible first minister' Sturgeon on flight back to US

He made the comments on Air Force One as he travelled back to Washington following his five-day visit to Scotland. During his stay, he had a two-hour dinner on Monday with current First Minister John Swinney, alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Swinney, who also met Mr Trump on Tuesday morning, said he had used the talks to push the president to exempt Scotch from US tariffs. Speaking to reporters on his flight home, the president was asked if he offered to drop the levy on Scotland's national drink. He replied: 'No. We really didn't discuss it much. But I have a lot of respect for him [Mr Swinney].' Journalists began asking questions again before Mr Trump interjected: 'I didn't have a lot of respect for the woman that preceded him – I thought she was terrible as a first minister of Scotland. 'But I think John is doing a very good job of first minister.' A source close to Ms Sturgeon responded: 'Trump's lack of respect for women is hardly news. 'That said, the feeling was entirely mutual.' US President Donald Trump made the comments after a five-day visit to Scotland (Chris Furlong/PA) Ms Sturgeon added on her Instagram account: 'Feeling was mutual, Donnie. 'Forever proud to represent all the things that offend your view of the world.' Mr Trump criticised Ms Sturgeon, who became first minister in 2014, during her resignation in 2023. He described her as a 'failed woke extremist' and a 'crazed leftist' who 'symbolises everything wrong with identity politics'. When he was first elected as president in 2016, Ms Sturgeon described Mr Trump's behaviour and rhetoric as 'abhorrent'. Mr Trump left Scotland on Tuesday after visiting his golf courses in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, and Menie in Aberdeenshire. During his stay he struck a trade agreement, described by him as 'the biggest in history', with the EU, and held a meeting with Sir Keir to improve the UK-US trade deal. As he opened his new golf course in Aberdeenshire, Donald Trump asked John Swinney to stand so he could thank him (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Swinney said following his talks with the US leader that Mr Trump had shown a 'willingness' to move on Scotch tariffs, which currently sit at 10%. During Mr Trump's speech to open a new golf course at Menie on Tuesday morning, he asked the First Minister to stand to thank him. He said: 'John Swinney is a terrific guy – and loves golf and loves the people of this country, and we really appreciate it. 'You're really a very special guy. Thank-you very much for everything, John.'

Abingdon-based broadband provider fined over 999 calls fault
Abingdon-based broadband provider fined over 999 calls fault

BBC News

time12 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Abingdon-based broadband provider fined over 999 calls fault

A broadband provider which failed to provide accurate location data for 999 calls has been fined £122, regulator Ofcom said Abingdon-based Gigaclear gave faulty information to emergency services in 948 calls between January 2022 and March the regulator said no callers were reported to have suffered significant said it "deeply regretted" the issue, which it had already corrected by the time it alerted Ofcom in April 2024. Announcing the fine, Ofcom said call location information could "mean the difference between life and death".It said Gigaclear did not test its systems, which had been wrongly configured by a third-party firm also failed to appropriately investigate a customer complaint relating to the issue, the regulator a statement, the provider said: "Gigaclear deeply regrets the historic configuration issue with our VoIP [Voice over Internet Protocol] service."We have undertaken a full post-incident review to implement the learnings from this incident and put in place processes to ensure that no similar issues arise again."Gigaclear operates a full fibre broadband network in rural areas across central and southern England. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store