THE leader of Dudley's UKIP group said he had been branded a racist for suggesting borough schools should fly the Union flag with pride and sing the national anthem during assemblies.

Councillor Paul Brothwood said he was "amazed" at the insults he has received via social media for trying to encourage youngsters to "appreciate our rich history and great heritage".

He felt he was also "attacked" by Labour and Conservative councillors when he put forward a notice of motion at Monday's full council meeting, which called on the authority to inspire children to “be proud to be British" by encouraging schools to fly the flag and sing the anthem.

Although councillors approved the motion, it was labelled "pointless" by Councillor Les Jones, who said: "It's amazing how Cllr Brothwood has made himself both a victim and a hero - he's a victim of racism because he's the hero that's bringing forward the Union flag.

"I've got a Union flag outside my house, I've had no racist taunts.

"The reality here is yes we all agree in principal with what's going on here, we can encourage all we like.

"It's interesting though that most of the schools now, with the academy programme and the free schools, are not going to be under any kind of local authority control in the future - it's a meaningless gesture."

Councillor Richard Body added: "You don't have to hear an anthem or have a look at the Union flag to be proud of where you live and who you are, it is up to the schools."

His thoughts were mirrored by Councillor Ken Finch, who said he was "embarrassed" by the motion.

"I don't need to be told by anyone what I'm supposed to do to respect the monarch and the services," he said.

Dudley schools do not need to be “Americanised” according to former headteacher Councillor Hilary Bills, who said: "If we had a balcony full of headteachers up there, I'm sure they would be feeling as grumpy as I am at this idea that we do not celebrate our flag and children do not learn the national anthem.

"Schools do it already, they fly the flag. They may not have a fancy flag pole, they hang it inside the school and they certainly they do learn the national anthem.”

Leader of the council, Councillor Pete Lowe added: “Should this council chamber be used for issues we can't actually then influence?

"I have no problem supporting the fact the flag should be raised but we have no control over education in the schools.

"It is a motion that will have no impact because heads will and should be able to make their own decision on the best way to educate the people they come into contact with and it shouldn't be for the local authority to dictate."

Following the meeting, Cllr Brothwood told the News: "It was very odd, we seemed to get attacked by both parties but they voted it through.

"I welcome their support and the key thing now is to make sure schools do take this on board.

"I'm going to send an email to every single headteacher advising them of the motion and ask them if they will get behind it and adopt this."