A patriotic pub has won its fight to keep its massive St George's Cross - in staunch defiance of woke outrage.
The exterior of the Moonrakers Inn in Pewsey has been adorned with the English flag since 2016, after landlord Jerry Kunkler wanted to show his backing for the country's national sports teams.
However, the patriotic symbol came under threat after a member of the public issued a complaint to Wiltshire Council, saying it made the boozer look like “the headquarters of the National Front”.
Officers from the local authority later recommended that the planning committee deny permission for the St George's Cross to remain on the historic building.
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On Thursday, councillors on the committee voted for the painting to remain, with five votes in favour of granting permission and three against.
Mr Kunkler - who is also Wiltshire’s longest-standing councillor - told The Telegraph that he was "happy" with the committee's decision.
He said: "It is justified. It is a sporting bar. I have always been an England-supporting person.”
Council officials drafted a report with public input about the symbol during the meeting.
The exterior of the Moonrakers Inn in Pewsey has been adorned with the English flag since 2016
|PA
Some members of the public hailed the pub's "loyalty" to England in displaying the symbol outside.
However, others launched a scathing attack on the symbol, claiming it “lowers the tone of the area” and signalled “presumed association with other organisations”.
Wiltshire councillor Keith Allen told the newspaper: “I served Queen and country across the world. I defended that flag every day.
"Now I’m in this position and I will defend that flag again.”
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One complaint raged at how the flag made the pub look like 'the headquarters of the National Front'
|PA
Meanwhile, councillor Paul Oatway lambasted the complainant who likened the pub to the National Front, slamming the remark as "ridiculous".
Following the vote, Wiltshire Council deputy leader Mel Jacob said: “We have a legal duty to protect listed buildings.
"In this case, the correct process has been followed.”
Speaking to GB News last year, Mr Kunkler expressed his outrage at the row, saying: "I'm an English supporting pub."
Jerry Kunkler (right) insisted his establishment was 'an English supporting pub'
| SUPPLIED"For all the time that I've been here, I've been here since 1981, but this has been up since 2016.
"I'm an Englishman and I support all English teams."
He told the People's Channel: "When we have the Six Nations, we have banter with the other nationalities that come in, but this is all inclusive.
"We're a family, a family friendly pub, and we have to make ends meet. And this is how I do it."
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