London Mayor Sadiq Khan has not specifically banned taxi drivers from flying England flags during Euro 2024

What is the claim?

Several social media posts claimed London Mayor Sadiq Khan had banned all taxi drivers from displaying the England flag during Euro 2024, a European football championship.

One such Facebook post claims: “The Islamic mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has banned London taxi drivers from flying the English flag during the Euro football tournament. However, he takes great pleasure in spending taxpayers’ money on every Muslim holiday throughout the year. Do you still see what’s going on?” An archived version of this post and other posts can be viewed Here and Here.

The claim was widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) and archived links can be found Here, Hereand Here.

Screenshot of viral posts circulating on social media. (Source: X/Facebook/screenshot/modified by Logically Facts)

However, we have found that the restrictions apply to all flags, not just the English flag, due to road safety concerns. These rules apply at all times, not only during football tournaments.

What I found?

A spokesman for Transport for London (TFL), the local government body responsible for most of London’s transport network, told Logical Facts: “The rules apply to all signage, including flags, and are not specific to St Cross. George or any other national flags”.

TFL has released guidelines for displaying stickers and official signs on London taxis 2016. The guidelines state that only approved taxi and private hire (TPH) signage, such as card payment information, license and CCTV, can be displayed on cabs, ensuring they do not affect passenger comfort or visual amenity and comply with Road Vehicles (Building and Use Regulations) 1986.

Regulation 30 of the 1986 act states that drivers must have a full view of the road and traffic ahead. Similarly, a rule implemented effective May 1, 2010, available on UK Government websiteclarifies that, although flying a flag on a vehicle is not a specific offence, flags that obstruct the driver’s view breach Regulation 30. Flags that present a danger to pedestrians or other road users could also breach Regulation 53 or 100covering safety rules for displaying mascots and maintaining vehicle safety.

Screenshot of the flags guide. (Source: UK Government website/screenshot)

In addition, the TPH Vehicle Licensing Inspection Manual (see pages 30 and 38), most recently updated in 2018, states that taxis should only display approved advertising material, signage and decals in accordance with TfL guidelines. It also states that signage and advertising graphics must not obscure any mandatory lamps or TfL signage and stickers.

Screenshot of the TPH manual. (Source: Transport for London/Screenshot)

Does the Mayor of London have the power to ban flags?

In addition, the TfL spokesperson also told us: “Decisions about the licensing and regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles in London are made by TFL, not the Mayor. For the safety of all passengers and drivers, the guidelines dictate what can be displayed in or on these vehicles.” The spokesman added: “Only official signs and stickers are permitted; any other signage, including flags, is not permitted for safety reasons.”

A Telegraph report of 22 April 2024, noted that in 2012, the Government introduced rules highlighting the safety risks of cars flying flags, such as distracting other drivers. This change allowed councils to ban taxis from flying flags.

Also, older reports from 2004, 2010and 2023 confirms that flag bans on taxis have been introduced over the decades, reiterating that this rule was not recently introduced by Sadiq Khan.

Logic Facts also contacted the Mayor of London’s office. We will update the check with a response as we receive it.

verdict

The flag rules do not highlight the English flag and are not specific to Euro 2024. We are therefore marking this claim as misleading.