EXCLUSIVE I’ve been representing you, Mr Bond: Government’s secret intelligence agency GCHQ criticised by families after seeking planning permission to fly transgender flag at its HQ

• As well as trans, GCHQ might also fly flags for Autism Pride and Progress Pride 

GCHQ has angered residents by seeking permission to fly flags promoting transgender and gay pride issues at its British headquarters.

The move by the government’s top-secret intelligence, security and cyber agency in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has been branded baffling by locals.

Bosses at the site in the Benhall area of the town have applied to the borough council for planning permission to fly other flags, such as the trans flag, instead of just national ones.

Usually, the two flag poles at the main entrance of the building are used to fly the Union Flag and any other national flag of significance.

Currently, the Ukrainian flag is flying alongside the Union Flag.

An aerial image of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

As well as the Transgender Flag, GCHQ might also fly the Autism Pride Flag and Progress Pride Flag. Pictured, a protester holds the trans pride flag

Previously GCHQ has flown the pride flag in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

A letter within the planning application explains GCHQ’s thinking about displaying flags outside its main entrance.

It says: ‘The purpose of this application therefore is to seek confirmation from the council that they would accept the flying of any flags on the existing two flag poles within the main site at GCHQ Benhall.

‘Therefore, GCHQ in the future could use two flags for both existing listed consented uses under the Advertisement Regulations but also in addition, fly flags of other groups or interests particularly to mark events throughout the calendar.’

The agency also enclosed pictures of three flags it might choose to fly. As well as the Transgender Flag, it included the Autism Pride Flag and Progress Pride Flag.

The latter celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community and calls for a more inclusive society.

Several people have shared their dismay at the plan on social media. 

Stephen Trant said: ‘Why does GCHQ feel the need to fly the flag of any single interest pressure group?

‘They may as well fly the Israeli flag or the Hamas flag as those two groups are feeling the need to assert their views at the moment.’

David Edwards posted: ‘Why? Once again a minority faction thing so what about flying the Scots’ flag, the Welsh flag etc eh?’

GCHQ said the new flags could be flown at various relevant points throughout the year, such as to mark national events or those in the equality, diversity and inclusion calendar.

It said the flags can hardly be seen by the public from many areas surrounding its fenced-off and tightly controlled building.

And the organisation said planning officers had not raised any objection during pre-application discussions.

Currently, the Ukrainian flag is flying alongside the Union Flag outside GCHQ

Working alongside MI5 and MI6, over the years GCHQ has looked to tackle serious cyber, terrorist, criminal, and state threats and attacks. Pictured, Daniel Craig as James Bond

It added in its letter: ‘The flying of flags outside Government buildings is generally encouraged and there has been a long tradition of flag flying at this site within the existing wide variety of permitted flags. 

‘Therefore, this proposal will again have little material impact on public amenity when viewed from outside the site.’

MailOnline contacted GCHQ for comment.

GCHQ was set up on November 1 1919 as a peacetime ‘cryptanalytic’ unit made up from staff from the Admiralty’s Room 40 and the War Office’s MI1(b).

During the Second World War, personnel moved to Bletchley Park where they decrypted German messages, most famously by breaking the Enigma code.  

The agency’s best-known former member of staff is Alan Turing, the wartime code-breaker and pioneer of computer science who had a ‘fearless approach to daunting problems’.

In the early 1950s, the service moved its headquarters from the London suburbs of Eastcote to Cheltenham but it also moved to other offices in the centre of the capital to keep a base for handling secret paperwork.

Its existence was not publicly acknowledged until 1983.

Working alongside MI5 and MI6, over the years GCHQ has looked to tackle serious cyber, terrorist, criminal, and state threats and attacks. 

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