"Response to claims about police conduct in Oldham.
Chief Superintendent Catherine Hankinson said:
"On Saturday 25 May 2013, police became aware that a number of people had gathered in Oldham town centre who were shouting and had flags, some of which were provoking passersby.
As a result there were tensions and some minor disorder.
While we will always allow and help facilitate peaceful protest, we felt that the actions of these people threatened our community cohesion, so it was our duty to do all we could prevent tensions from escalating.
Officers dealing with this altercation saw that a woman had a Union Flag and another flag which was highly inappropriate and in our view solely designed to further inflame tensions.
This woman was therefore taken to one side and the second flag was taken from her.
At no point was she arrested, or did she have her Union Flag confiscated from her.
We are aware of some videos and comments on social media relating to this matter and our Professional Standards Branch will make contact with the woman involved.""
http://www.gmp.police.uk/Content/Websit ... enDocument
Let us not let the facts get in the way of a bit of sensationalism though, aye?
"Morrisons said its dress code banned bracelets and pins.
Mr Austin, from Buckland, Portsmouth, had been asked by two other senior members of staff on Monday to remove the wristband.
A disciplinary letter from the firm said he was first asked to remove the poppy pin on his name badge, but refused to.
He was then spoken to by another member of staff who said he had breached the dress code but the employee put on a Help For Heroes wristband and kept the pin on.
Morrisons said, since the incident on Monday, the firm had reviewed its guidelines to allow non-fresh food preparation staff to wear charity wristbands.
A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed Mr Austin worked in both fresh food preparation areas and non-fresh food preparation areas, such as the checkout.
Poppy Appeal
Morrisons issued a response on its Facebook page.
A spokesman said: "We understand that it's important to many people to show support for our armed forces.
"Morrisons is a long time supporter of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and we welcome Help for Heroes fund-raisers into store.
"As a company, we encourage store colleagues to show their support for the Royal British Legion by wearing poppies in October and November.
"We currently ask colleagues to adhere to a company dress code, which precludes bracelets and pins.""
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22689008
Inconvenient as the truth often is, it must be underlined when people are choosing to make mountains out of molehills.