A London council has sparked controversy by announcing it will continue to fly the EU flag, despite Brexit.

Hounslow Council says it will keep the flag up at council office Hounslow House as ‘a symbol that we remain an internationalist borough’ and ‘a place EU citizens can call home’.

Council leader Steve Curran claimed the gesture was to show EU citizens in the borough they are still ‘friends, neighbours and loved ones’ who are ‘valued members of our communities’.

However, some have accused the council of ‘not listening to voters’, given Britain’s decision to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

The move was announced on January 31 at a meeting attended by staff from Poland, Croatia, Germany, Norway, Romania and other EU countries.

Councillor Curran said: ‘Although the decision to leave the EU has been made, we know there is still a lot of uncertainty and concern among our EU citizens, their families and employers, as well as local businesses and organisations.

‘Our EU citizens, many of whom work for the council and our partners such as schools, health and social care services, and the police, contribute a huge amount to the diversity and rich culture of the borough.

‘They are our friends, neighbours and loved ones, and we want them to stay.

‘They’ve also brought a huge amount to our local economy. Their skills, innovation and hard work has been at the heart of the fantastic business growth we’ve seen in the borough, and the jobs and opportunities that creates for residents.

‘As well as the council advising and supporting them as best we can, we want to make sure they continue to feel welcome as valued members of our communities.

‘We’re going to keep flying the EU flag as a symbol that we remain an internationalist borough, a gateway to London for people and business, a place which embraces diversity and which EU citizens can call home.’

The announcement was divisive online, with many taking to social media to express their opinions.

Graham De Wey Peters accused the council of ‘not listening’ to the voters, while Sharon Johal asked: ‘Do our elected representatives no longer believe in the democracy that puts them in their positions?’

Andrew Price added: ‘Ludicrous decision. I’m a remainer but this selfish decision is based on personal preferences of the so-called leader of Hounslow Council’.

However, others were thrilled with the decision, with Mariella Cospita writing she was ‘proud to live in Hounslow’ while Nadia Nts claimed there were ‘lots of residents that appreciate it’.

Britain officially left the EU on January 31 and is currently in a 12-month transition period in which it is no longer a member state but is still be subject to EU rules and regulations.

Brexit Day saw the nation truly divided, as some popped champagne to celebrate at big events, while others mourned the departure with candlelight vigils.

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