Flag activists investigated over High Court filming

A group of activists responsible for hanging flags from lampposts in Oxfordshire are being investigated after they appeared to film inside the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Attorney General's Office confirmed to the BBC that it is currently reviewing footage shared by the Raise the Colour group on social media.

It comes after two High Court hearings prevented the unauthorised hanging of St George's Cross and Union flags on or near public highways, following legal action brought by the county council.

On the days of the hearings, members of the group appeared to film themselves within the High Court precincts - which is a potential breach of contempt of court law.

Oxfordshire County Council's case to prevent the flag hanging was first heard at the High Court on 23 June.

It saw an interim injunction granted against a group of four named individuals involved with Raise the Colours.

On the day of that hearing, the group shared footage of Ryan Bridge - one of four activists named in the council's legal notice - offering his thoughts on the outcome.

Another showed two people skipping down some steps, with one heard saying: "Rocking out of court baby."

The third saw Bridge and a woman attempting to talk to one of the council's legal representatives inside the court's precincts.

All appear to have been filmed from within the High Court precincts.

A second hearing took place at the same court on 10 July, and saw the council gain a permanent injunction to prevent the flying of flags from lampposts in the county.

This applies to flags placed without permission on or near public highways in Oxfordshire, and does not apply to those raised on private property.

It means any person breaching the order could face prison, a fine or having their assets seized and will remains in place until at least 9 July 2027.

In a video shared by Raise the Colours on the same day as the second hearing, Bridge can be seen talking to the camera.

He introduces himself before acknowledging his surroundings, saying: "We're in the Royal Courts of Justice."

Under section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925, it is illegal in England and Wales to take, or try to take, any footage within court precincts. It is also illegal to publish such footage.

Any person in breach of this could face a fine up to £1,000, but use of a camera in such locations can in some cases be treated as a contempt of court under common law.

This is the legal system which is mostly developed by previous court decisions rather than through written legislation, and relies heavily on previous precedent.

Contempt of court is considered a much graver offence which can be punishable by hefty fines or even prison sentences.

It is usually up to the Attorney General or Solicitor General to decide if it is in the public interest to bring charges over contempt of court referrals.