Why has council's stance over Pride in libraries led to protests?

Protesters have been demonstrating outside Norwich's Millennium Library over a ban on Pride flags and displays. What is behind the controversy and what do both sides say?

Last month, Reform UK, which now runs Norfolk County Council, stopped flying the Pride flag at County Hall and said it had prohibited political messaging, events and displays - including Pride - at the county's 47 libraries.

On Thursday, protesters against the policy gathered outside the Forum, home to Norwich Millennium Library.

One of them, former librarian Gemma Williams, said that, as a queer person, the policy made her feel "really unsafe, really unwelcome, really unhappy".

But in a statement issued on Friday, the council said no new guidance had been issued and services were expected to remain "politically neutral".

The council's statement came despite council cabinet member Scott Hussey claiming staff were told of the changes two weeks ago.

Williams, 49, of Norwich, said: "I feel very strongly that the role of the public library is to support communities and be inclusive spaces for everybody.

"To remove things like Pride displays sends a message that certain people aren't welcome in public spaces, which I find really distressing and upsetting."

She said she also felt worried for young queer people who felt threatened or isolated.

"It's really sad to see that being taken away, remembering what it was like for myself," she added.

"I don't want that for young people today."

Hussey told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the new rules had been introduced after families raised concerns about activities in Norfolk libraries.

"Public buildings funded by Norfolk taxpayers must not be used to advance any political agenda or promote the interests of any campaign group, however well-intentioned," he said.

"We have heard from residents who feel that hasn't always been the case, particularly with regard to materials aimed at children.

"As such, we welcome the steps Norfolk County Council has taken to ensure its library and museum spaces are inclusive and politically neutral for all visitors."

He also told the BBC the directive had been sent out to staff and did not single out any particular group.

It follows the party's decision last month to stop flying the Ukraine and Progress Pride flags at County Hall.

Reform appears to be at odds with County Hall officials.

A council statement said its long-standing principle of political neutrality remained unchanged and that it was important for services to engage with communities and engage with local events.

"No single display, book, exhibition, or activity should be regarded as representing the views of the county council, its employees or elected members," it added.

"Providing appropriate context and thoughtful curation is important to ensure that visitors can consider different perspectives and form their own conclusions."

In a social media thread on the topic, the county council was asked why Pride should be stopped in libraries when it was "not a political statement".

It responded to say its approach had not changed and it followed an internal process, led by staff, to ensure displays and exhibitions line up with its guidance.

Its team from Gorleston-on-Sea Library had recently attended a local Pride event, it added, and it confirmed there would be a council presence at Norwich Pride.

Nationally, Reform regards the Pride movement as political activism.

Leader Nigel Farage has supported the axing of Pride at libraries in St Helens, Merseyside, and said Reform-led councils were "not flying political symbols on their roofs".

In an interview with LBC last month, he went on to say: "Most of those that I've spoken to don't think there's any need for Pride month whatsoever.

"They've got equal treatment, they've got equal rights, they've got everything they campaigned for for decades."

Three Labour MPs in Norfolk – Ben Goldsborough, Alice Macdonald and Terry Jermy – have co-signed a letter calling on county council leader David Bick to reverse the policy.

South Norfolk's Goldsborough called the move "shameful, divisive and deeply damaging", a feeling that was echoed by Jermy, who represents South West Norfolk.

"The connection and safe spaces that libraries provide is deeply important," he added.

"They are cornerstones of our communities and are no place for this kind of divisive, harmful politics."

Norwich North MP Macdonald added: "This is wrong, and constituents have contacted me to say how upset and worried they are by it."

At the Forum protest, Tate, 28, said it seemed Reform was more concerned about flags and Pride at libraries than the "real issues" in Norfolk.

"It's upsetting, but at the same time it just feels really counterproductive," they said.

"People go to the library for all sorts of reasons, whether they just need to get away, whether they just want to go and read a book... I don't think a [Pride] flag is going to deter them from going and reading a book.

"I feel like there's a lot of different marginalised communities that use a library and are living in Norwich, and why can't we be inclusive to everyone?"

Charlotte Jones, 30, of Lingwood, said she felt a lot of "queer visibility" had been taken away.

"I think it's important that spaces are making an effort to be inclusive and providing that resource, not just for young people but adults who are in the closet [and] taking solace in books.

"It's a concern about where it leads.

"At the moment it seems to be 'We're taking your books away, putting them back on the shelf – it's time for you to go hide away as well and stop talking.'"

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