Man who flies Union Jack subject of hate mail labelling him racist
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EXCLUSIVE By Anna Edwards
A dad has been branded a racist – simply for hoisting a Union Jack flag from his shed.
After displaying his patriotism Steve Coe – whose wife is black – received an anonymous letter through the letterbox of his home in Tideswell Road, Shirley.
It accused him of being in the BNP and National Front.
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The angry letter appears to have been sent by a neighbour, who writes: “If you want to look at the flag put it inside your own home, don’t subject it to others, many find it intrusive and your motives questionable.”
Mr Coe, 46, is an avid collector of British memorabilia and says the flag, which has been flying for the last two weeks, is merely showing his love of all things British.
He said: “I’ve got this letter asking me what my motives are for putting up this flag, and am I a member of the BNP or National Front?
“I’m just a patriotic chap, this letter is awful, really nasty.
“People shouldn’t feel worried about being proud of their country, this is a symbol of our country, how is it racist to have a British flag on your shed?”
Mr Coe has been reassured by Croydon Council that there is nothing wrong with him putting up his flag.
And he says he is willing to meet with whoever has sent him the letter, to show them he isn’t the slightest bit racist.
He added: “It’s very petty, they’ve obviously got nothing better to do.
“Why weren’t they mature about it and come and speak to me? It’s cowardly to do it like this.
“I’ve shown the letter to my neighbours and friends, they are all disgusted.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to, regardless of their creed or colour, has got behind me and condemned it, it’s totally unacceptable.”
His wife, Jocie, finds the letter’s suggestion that there are sinister motives behind the flag particularly laughable – as her family hails from the West Indies.
Mrs Coe, said: “We’re not interfering with anyone else, I don’t know why someone should be so offended.
“I think you have to let people live, writing stuff like this is a bit poisonous.
“My family come from the West Indies, so the idea my husband is a BNP member is ridiculous.
“Maybe they think I’m a servant because they’ve seen me hanging the washing out!”
