Manchester has recently seen a wave of British and English flags appearing across its main shopping streets, part of a campaign by a group called Churchill’s Lions.
The movement, which claims to protect local culture and the safety of children and women, has been appealing for donations to raise more flags across towns and cities in England.
But the attention around their campaign has shifted from patriotism to controversy, centering on one of its prominent members, Lee Twamley.
From Flag-Waving to Criminal Allegations
Twamley, 55, who posts on TikTok under the name Salford T-Bone, has been promoting the group’s message, which includes stopping small boats and preventing illegal immigration.
However, a closer look at his past has revealed a striking contradiction.
In 2016, he served 20 months in prison after being caught at a British border checkpoint in northern France with four Vietnamese migrants hidden in a van.
Authorities at the time described him as part of a “shameless gang” that smuggled desperate people into the UK for financial gain.
Social Media Backlash and Hypocrisy Claims
Once news of Twamley’s criminal past resurfaced, social media users quickly labeled him a “pretend patriot” and mocked his image as a nationalist hero.
Despite the backlash, Twamley defended himself online, insisting the migrants he tried to smuggle were destined for illegal cannabis farms, not for exploiting children or women.
On TikTok, he called the reports “old news” and dismissed critics as biased, insisting his past actions were unrelated to the issues he now campaigns against.
Operation Raise the Colours Sparks National Debate
Twamley’s activities come amid a broader online movement called Operation Raise the Colours, encouraging the display of national flags across towns and cities in England.
This movement has sparked debate over patriotism versus provocation.
Last month, the Prime Minister supported citizens’ right to fly St George’s flags, following incidents where local councils attempted to remove them.
In Manchester, more than a dozen British and English flags were spotted along main shopping streets, and the city council confirmed they would remain in place as long as they did not cause harm or damage.
Far-Right Connections and Continued Controversy
Twamley has also been linked to far-right activism.
He was photographed last month at a rally organized by Britain First, and he regularly posts videos of flags being attached to lampposts across northwest England.
His past involvement in multiple migrant smuggling attempts in 2014, reported by local news outlet The Mill and anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, has further fueled accusations of hypocrisy.
Twamley, however, continues to publicly reject criticism, emphasizing that his past offenses were unrelated to his current stance on immigration.
Political Reactions and Local Tensions
The flag campaign has divided opinion among politicians and local leaders.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham criticized certain displays, suggesting they were meant to provoke, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch insisted flying national flags is not racist.
The movement’s supporters, meanwhile, remain committed to raising flags and funding their campaign, despite ongoing scrutiny of Twamley’s history.
Response from Key Figures
When questioned about the resurfacing of Twamley’s criminal record, Churchill’s Lions fundraiser Emma Boyd declined to comment.
Twamley himself reiterated to The Mill that his past offenses were “old news” and unrelated to the group’s current goals.
No response was available from his home address.
