Founder of flag raising group charged with 14 offences
2 sources · United Kingdom
Who reported this
- The Independent
- Sky News
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- Centre-left
- Centre
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- Right
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Ryan Bridge, the leader of the Raise the Colours group, has been charged with 14 offences. The group is known for placing Union Jack and St George's Cross flags on lampposts across England. According to Thames Valley Police, the charges relate to incidents reported in Oxfordshire between 31 January and 31 March 2026.
Mr. Bridge, 45, faces seven counts of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and three counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence. Additionally, he is charged with two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, one count of racially aggravated fear of violence, and one count of common assault.
Reports indicate that Mr. Bridge has also travelled to Northern France to film small boats in an attempt to stop them from entering the UK. During a Reform UK annual conference this week, leader Nigel Farage praised the flag campaign and Mr. Bridge, stating that the party would provide legal help if possible.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- The center-left outlet provided detailed specifics regarding the racial aggravation of the charges and the subject's activities regarding small boats.
- Centre
- The center outlet focused on the basic facts of the charges and the nature of the flag group.
Sources
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