Drivers in Liverpool were ordered to sign contracts forbidding the St George’s Cross due to apparent ‘health and safety’ risks.A clampdown on public patriotism ahead of England’s first game against the U.S. in 15 days times has been enforced elsewhere in Britain.
Taxi drivers in Kent have been warned by Canterbury City Council that they could have their licences suspended if they fly the St George’s Cross.
The binmen in Merseyside, working for private contract firm Enterprise-Liverpool, have also been banned from putting badges and stickers inside their trucks.
Bosses said they were concerned that the items could block drivers' views.
But workers are furious at the decision. One said: ‘We are all football fans and we all cannot wait for the World Cup.
‘But to be told we are at risk of being sacked if we put anything in our cabs is absolutely ridiculous. It has got everyone's backs up.
‘We all signed because what was the alternative? We do not want to lose our jobs. But surely they could just have had a quiet word and said 'lads, don't stick any flags up, hey?'
‘This is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.’ It's understood all workers were told to sign the contracts on Thursday.
Any binman found to have breached the terms of the contract could be suspended pending an investigation and face the prospect of dismissal.
A spokesman for Enterprise-Liverpool said: ‘We have issued the directive that no decoration is permitted in any company vehicles due to concerns over the potential health and safety implications of driver visibility and pedestrian safety.
In Kent, licensing chief Roger Vick denied being a killjoy. He said: ‘A taxi has to be seen as a public service vehicle. Lots of vehicles will be going around with flags on.
‘If a taxi has flags, this could create confusion as to whether it is a public service vehicle or not.’ He added: ‘We are not being killjoys. There is a degree of health and safety here as well.’
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