Harlow Labour leader slams council leader following church being covered with red crosses
Faith Matters / Thu 28th Aug 2025 at 08:22am
THE LEADER of Harlow Labour has reacted with anger at the news that a church in Harlow has been daubed with red crosses.
Councillor James Griggs said:
“The appearance of hundreds of flags across our town has been greeted with mixed opinions to say the least.
“Many of us are extremely concerned that this represents something sinister, stirring up division in our community. I do not believe it is a coincidence that this sudden burst of ‘patriotism’ has come at exactly the same time as far right groups have been whipping up their hatred against refugees, migrants and asylum seekers.
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Swords, refused to remove the flags claiming he would concentrate on tackling real issues.
Well now he has one but his silence is deafening.
This ‘patriotic’ fervour he has condoned now extends to graffiti on churches, bunting dangerously strung across roads, graffiti on roadside infrastructure and more.
“If this is an example of his leadership in ‘Building Harlow’s future’ we should all be very concerned”.
David Forman
2025-08-28 08:54:28
Well said James Griggs. This needed calling out. It's a shame that Dan Swords cannot say the same.
Terence. Terrell
2025-08-28 09:41:49
Here we go again. Everytime patriotic citizens have the temerity to voice their solidarity, they are deemed right -wing. Their intentions must be subversive. When they show their feelings to a socialist regime that doesn't care for them, they must be idealogical rabble rousers. But they are not. They are just deeply concerned and worried citizens.
Kay Morrison
2025-08-28 09:49:49
Well said, James. The majority of Harlow's people feel exactly the same.
David White
2025-08-28 09:51:14
Terence, you sound like a walking comment section just parroting the same nonsense. None of you are Patriots unless you've served in the Army. Spray painting other people's property just makes you a yob.
Mark Ingall
2025-08-28 10:23:18
Terence, there is nothing patriotic about grafitti being daubed across the town. And Cllr Griggs is right to point out that this sudden flurry of "patriotic" fervour does coincide with increase reports of racist abuse and intimidation..
Cara-grace Thornton
2025-08-28 11:16:49
Very well said by Cllr James Griggs the coincidental timing of these flags are nothing but a clear celebration from the right wing extremists in response to the bell hotel protests. The fact that Cllr Dan swords fails to see this as a “real issue” is quite frankly embarrassing. Dan Swords has a responsibility as a councillor to protect those of this town , allowing vandalism in aid of the far right will leave so many people afraid to leave their homes in fear of being hate crimed…even more so than before. If this isn’t resolved by Dan Swords due to his “real issues” is it not logical to assume he is now complicit. WELL DONE COUNCILLOR JAMES GRIGGS! This needs to be said!
Terence. Terrell
2025-08-28 11:41:53
When Mr Griggs has time to reflect on his latest diatribe, he may reach for regret. His disparaging, patronising, remarks tarring true patriots as subversive ne're-do-wells, is insulting in the extreme.
Clark Renney
2025-08-28 13:51:28
Top picture, German girls wave flags in the 1930s. Bottom picture, Berlin in 1945. "Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong." James Bryce
Clark Renney
2025-08-28 13:52:51
"Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong." James Bryce
Stuart G
2025-08-28 14:22:15
Agree completely. Anyone who doesn't see the link between the sudden proliferation of flags and nationalist graffiti and the protests at the Bell Hotel needs their eyes tested.
Chad
2025-08-28 14:27:38
I am astonished by Dan Swords silence on this matter. His silence speaks volumes. What is your position on this matter? Surely you can't support vandalism and criminal damage to private property, or perhaps you do? It would be nice to hear exactly what you and your party's position is.
Lacey
2025-08-28 14:31:07
If you want to buy red paint, then you need to be a tax paying adult - No paint for the workshy - That would put an end to it.
Stuart G
2025-08-28 14:59:57
Just makes the town look like a dump - love my town looking like it's got the plague. I do wonder if Dan Swords will comment - given he's only happy to comment when it suits him. It's his declaration of a two-tier application of the law which has enabled this. Given Tories are always bleating on about two-tier justice it's pretty astounding, but unsurprising, that he supports it when it suits his populist agenda. Over to you, Dan!
Terence. Terrell
2025-08-28 17:44:16
MR righteous, bigoted , left-wing White. If you are going to pass judgement on what defines a Patriot, I suggest you look up the meaning of Patriot. Then you might spare yourself ridicule , and embarrassment. But then you are just a parody of every other left-wing bile ,and bilge, "spewer ". Another bandwagon joining , ne'er- do well, with no discernible mindset to call his own. A Patrriot you ain't. But patronising you are.
Jennifer Steadman
2025-08-29 07:52:36
Such a shame that this rush of patriotism isnt demonstrated on St George's day. Its a shame these patriotic citizens dont know the correct way up to hang the Union flag. Its a shame they dont know that it is called a Union Flag and is not called a 'Union Jack' until it is flown from the Jackstaff of one of the King's vessels. It is a shame that none seem to know the history of the flag of St George. It is a shame they believe that vandalising post boxes, churches, electrical boxes and roundabouts adequately demonstrates their dedication to this Country, when it merely demonstrates ignorance. Perhaps they would like to pay for their graffiti to be removed, because I certainly do not wish my council tax to pay for someone else's idiotic act of mindless vandalism!
Sheila Sullivan
2025-08-29 09:05:27
Well said, James Griggs.
Phil
2025-08-29 12:32:12
Cllr Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “I absolutely stand by the statement I made last week about flags across our town – Harlow Council will not be removing Union or St George’s flags that have been placed on lampposts. “But let’s be clear: graffiti is vandalism. It will be treated in exactly the same way as any other graffiti in Harlow. “In the case of the church, it is private property, and as with any private property, this must be addressed by the owners.” In response to a couple of the statements on here... @David White, I served in the army. Does that make me a patriot or far right? Am I allowed to hang flags or not? Your statement is absolute nonsense. @Terence. Terrell, Well said sir. I'm sick of being labelled right wing just because I support my country!! That does not make me right wing or a nationalist. It means I'm proud of the place I was born, grew up in and promised to defend.
Jon
2025-08-29 13:08:31
Well said James, there is definitely more than a coincidence with the timing. Not sure why Dan Swords didn't condemn graffiti in his first statement he made the council put out, unlike our MP Chris Vance.
Mark Gough
2025-08-29 13:30:44
It's very simple really. British and English flags safety hung the right way up yes. Graffiti no.
James Gamble
2025-08-29 14:04:05
Who will have to pay to remove the graffiti?
Adrienne Barlow
2025-08-30 02:43:32
As I just said in previous post the full flags waving from lamposts on the roadside should be taken down They are a dangerous distraction. They (the flags) are being used as a racist provocation.And whipping up a witch hunt society . Come on Mr Swords this situation is untenable
Lisa
2025-08-30 07:54:00
Phil - agreed, just because you were in the army doesn’t make you Right Wing - In 1945, the troops returned from the war and voted overwhelmingly for that landslide Labour government. We can’t let groups on the edge take ownership of our flag, as it belongs to us all.
Leave a Comment Below:
22 Comments for Harlow Labour leader slams council leader following church being covered with red crosses: