Royal Navy says veterans were within rights to fly White Ensign - but residents still need permission from site owner

A dispute erupted between the residents of Trafalgar Court – which provides sheltered accommodation for armed forces veterans – and the chief executive officer of the Church of England Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Housing Association (Cessa), Patrick Keefe, who oversees the accommodation.

As a ‘commissioned officer of the Royal Navy’, Mr Keefe said he was authorised to remove the Royal Navy’s flag in accordance with the Queen’s Regulations for the Royal Navy which he said state that the flag can only be used onshore at civilian buildings which are ‘exceptionally authorised’ and doesn’t include Trafalgar Court.

In a letter to residents after removing the flag, Mr Keefe stated: ‘Trafalgar Court is not specifically authorised to fly the White Ensign in accordance with the Queen’s Regulations for the Royal Navy. I’ve therefore directed that it be removed.’

However, a Royal Navy spokeswoman has said this is not statutory law and should not be a reason for prohibiting the flying of the White Ensign.

The spokeswoman said: ‘There is no UK statute which limits the use of the White Ensign on land, or indeed any of the national flags, and accordingly, no ‘permission’ is required to use one.

‘However, in accordance with the Merchant shipping Act 1995 it is an offence to fly one on a boat or ship, unless authorised by warrant.’

Residents had been left angry after the flag had been removed.

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Speaking at the time, former Royal Navy radio operator, Joe Ince, 76, said: ‘It was our intention to fly the RAF, Army and White Ensign flags on different weeks and on special occasions.

‘When we found the flag had been taken down all the residents were very angry – we feel it’s very disrespectful to the armed forces.’

However, this may not be the end of the dispute as Mr Keefe has also cited planning law which requires the landowners permission to fly any flag other than the national flag. While Mr Ince said the group had been granted permission from Cessa’s director of housing, Mr Keefe confirmed in the letter that they do not have his permission.

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