Ipswich: Borough’s flag will fly at half-mast for Baroness Thatcher funeral

The union flag will fly at half-mast outside the borough’s buildings to mark Baroness Thatcher’s funeral tomorrow.

Last week there was confusion as the borough’s flag continued to fly at the top of its mast at Grafton House while the county council’s Endeavour House headquarters on the other side of Russell Road flew its flag at half-mast.

Officials at the borough insisted that the decision not to lower the flag was not political – a spokesman said it had been taken by chief executive Russell Williams without reference to Labour council leader David Ellesmere.

Yesterday the borough said it would be lowering the flag. A statement said: “Ipswich Council will be flying the Union Flag at half-mast on the Town Hall and Grafton House on the day of Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven’s funeral – Wednesday 17th April.

“This is in keeping with the protocol for all Prime Ministers and ex-Prime Ministers of the UK.”

The county council and other public sector buildings in Ipswich are expected to fly their flags at half-mast tomorrow – and there is not expected to be major campaigning in the county council election campaign.

The funeral is expected to dominate civic life tomorrow – the heart of London is expected to come to a standstill as her coffin is carried through the streets of the capital to St Paul’s cathedral.

Should the flag have been flown at half-mast earlier? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk