THE EU flag will not fly on Tavistock Town Hall's flagpole on Europe Day next month — despite a request to reconsider.

The Tamar branch of the European Movement had contacted Tavistock Town Council earlier this year, asking if the EU flag could be flown on the town hall on Europe Day — May 9. But the council turned down the request, stating that to do so could be seen as a political statement.

Since then, the chairman of the Tamar branch has written to the council, urging it to think again.

Christopher Denne said: 'It is not the job of Tavistock Town Council to take a stance on Britain's membership of the EU. Britain is a member and has been for many years.

'Britain helped to create the EU as it is today and has been the driving force behind the single market. For many people, this is a source of great national pride.

'Those members of the council who declare their political allegiance belong to a party which, like all other parties at Westminster, supports our continued active membership.'

Mr Denne said Britain was not one of the states of the USA, yet the Stars and Stripes was flown from the town hall on July 4.

'Is this not a political statement? If our relationship with our transatlantic allies is a cause for national pride, so too is our membership of the EU,' said Mr Denne.

Members of the council's properties committee were last week told that the Stars and Stripes flag was flown on July 4 to remember the US 29th Infantry Division which was billeted in Tavistock in 1944, and whose soldiers left to take part in the D-Day invasions. The flag was not flown to celebrate any political Atlantic alliance.

The committee agreed that the previous decision not to fly the EU flag should stand — there was no debate by members.

However, the committee agreed that the Union flag would be flown for the week beginning June 20, to mark Armed Forces Day on June 25, following a written request by General Sir David Richards, Chief of Defence Staff.

'I think it would be disgraceful not to do so,' said Cllr Brian Trew.