A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said:
"Flags can be displayed on private property. We have a policy of removing flags when they appear on council infrastructure and we apply this policy consistently to all flags. The council has a responsibility for people's safety and we ask that members of the public do not put themselves at risk by climbing on lamp posts and other infrastructure.
"The verbal abuse suffered by our staff when removing flags near the Britannia Hotel is not acceptable. We are aware that some individuals putting up flags are not from our borough and that there have been wider attempts by some coming from outside our borough to sow division.
"The decision to use the Britannia Hotel to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers was taken by the government and the council was not consulted. We have been working with the government to ensure support for our local community as well as those staying in the hotel.
"Tower Hamlets has a proud history of our community coming together to oppose division and prejudice. We have one of the most diverse and cohesive populations in the country, where 90 per cent of our residents say they get on well with one another. We work closely with our partner Tension Monitoring Group, which includes a wide range of community organisations, our award-winning Inter Faith Forum and the Metropolitan police, which has been consulted on the approach the council is taking towards all flags."
Posted on Tuesday 19th August 2025