Zia Yusuf has strongly condemned a senior council official after the chief executive refused to comply with an order from Reform UK's leadership to remove a Pride flag from Warwickshire County Hall.

The Reform UK's head of Doge accused her of orchestrating a "coup d'etat" and engaging in a "subversion of democracy".

Monica Fogarty, the council's chief executive, rejected the directive from George Finch, the authority's 18-year-old interim leader.

He had instructed that the Progress Pride flag be taken down in accordance with Reform's policy of displaying only British flags.

Zia Yusuf has strongly condemned a senior council official

The Telegraph reports that Fogarty responded to the order by saying: "I am afraid I will not be taking the action that you are requesting."

Yusuf claimed the chief executive was behaving like the "monarch of Warwickshire" by defying the party's instructions.

He said: "These people are drunk on their own power, and for decades have been totally unaccountable. Until now - Reform elected officials are fighting back. Unlike the two old parties, Reform will fight for you."

The executive, whose salary ranges between £196,303 and £213,001, maintained that Pride flags have traditionally been flown during Pride month throughout her tenure and before.

Monica Fogarty, the council's chief executive, rejected the directive from George Finch

She also claimed to have reached a prior agreement with former Reform council leader Rob Howard to display both the St George's flag and the Pride flag.

The dispute centres on the Progress Flag, which includes colours representing trans people alongside traditional Pride colours.

The confrontation marks a significant clash between Reform UK's elected leadership and the council's permanent executive staff.

Finch assumed the interim leadership role last week following Rob Howard's sudden resignation.

George Finch assumed the interim leadership role last week following Rob Howard's sudden resignation

Howard attributed his exit to "health challenges" preventing him from performing the role adequately.

The teenager, who represents Bedworth Central, had served as deputy leader under Howard and now oversees a local authority managing over £1.5 billion in assets and a revenue budget of approximately £500 million.

Finch had only recently defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, having been a Tory member for just three months before switching allegiances due to Reform's tougher stance on illegal immigration.

Reform UK secured control of Warwickshire County Council in May's local elections, forming a minority administration after overtaking the Conservatives as the largest group, though without an overall majority.