Rother stands firm on Orlando flag tribute

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Rother District Council has said today (Thursday) that it will stick by its decision not to fly the rainbow flag at half mast in tribute to the people who died in last weekend's Orlando massacre.

Neighbouring Hastings Borough Council flew the flag, which is synonymous with the LGBT community, at half mast outside its town hall following the tragedy.

However Rother did not follow suit, telling the Observer yesterday: “We only fly a flag on a very limited number of occasions and lower it in line with national commemorations.

“However we would like to express our deepest condolences and support to the LGBT community, and the family and friends of those affected by events in Orlando.”

Following the article which appeared on the Observer website yesterday, a number of Bexhillians have called on the council to fly the flag outside the town hall.

When asked by a member of the public why Rother was not flying the flag, Bexhill mayor Simon Elford said: “We should be, I’ll look into it.”

But this morning RDC’s spokesperson said there was “no change” in the council’s position.

Fifty people were killed and 53 wounded when a gunman opened fire at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, on June 12.

It was the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil since 9/11.

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