For centuries the ultimate emblem of Britishness has meant different things to different people, and now it is back in the ...

Outrage was first sparked when councils tore down English and British flags - but why were they removed? And why is everyone putting flags up?

Aside from soccer or royal events, Brits don't fly their flag as much as Americans do. Now, with anti-immigrant groups embracing the Union Jack, it's part of a debate on what it means to be British.

A spokesperson added: "The flying of a nation's flag is not, in its own right, illegal unless there is any other criminality ...

Flags are complex signs open to multiple interpretations which are affected by how, why and where they are displayed.