9 hours ago
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Gareth Southgate is taking flak after claiming that people flying the St George's flag risk compromising national 'unity'.
The former England manager was asked for his views about the spurt of flags appearing around the nation on BBC Breakfast.
'I worry about unity. I've seen what we did with the team [England] to unify every community,' he said.
'I do think there's more that bonds us all than separates us. We should try and focus more on what brings us together than what separates us.'
He becomes the latest football figure to take stick for his views on the flags - which have admittedly divided opinion - after Gary Neville also spoke out against them.
'Worried about Unity? I really don’t understand Southgate,' one user wrote on X. 'The Cross of St George is the flag of England - the country he represented. It is the national flag. How can that be divisive? Please someone explain his attitude to me.'
Gareth Southgate is taking the heat for claiming that flying English flags can hurt 'unity'
Gary Neville faced the wrath of the online community last month after condemning 'angry, middle-aged white men'
'Oh do shove it Southgate.....no one is interested in your opinion of flying a national flag,' said another - though he was, of course, asked for his take.
One wrote: 'Southgate, is a dreary, dullard conformist, that's why he was chosen by the FA to manage England even though he had been a failure as club manager.
'Hence he went along with the racist, divisive Critical Race Theory-inspired 'taking the knee' insult to British society. He's a truly awful manifestation of the corporate 'enemy class' of the British people.'
Southgate stepped down as manager of England in 2024 after eight years in charge, having led the country to two European Championship finals, as well as a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final.
He became known as a measured speaker and has since gone on to position himself as a thought leader, penning a book called 'Dear England: Lessons in Leadership'.
But he has poked the bear by suggesting that the mere sight of a flag - arguably a neutral concept in and of itself - can tear people apart.
That said, he does have Neville on his side. The former Manchester United defender attracted ire last month when he called the flags the preserve of 'angry, middle-aged white men'.
Neville said: 'I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we're all being turned on each other.
'And the division that's being created is absolutely disgusting - mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they're doing.'
Neville received a heavy-handed response on social media and even in person just for expressing his views. His original comments had come shortly after the horrific Manchester synagogue when worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation were attacked by terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie.
Three men were arrested after far-right protesters stormed the pitch at Salford City's game with Oldham last month to target him.
Neville is a co-owner of the Ammies and midway through the first half, one member of the crowd charged on to the pitch and planted a St George's flag in the centre circle, although he was quickly apprehended by stewards.
Another fan also attempted to join him, but he was halted shortly after jumping over the barriers.
Both were wearing white tops which read 'Gary Neville is a traitor', and they were joined by a third fan but it was unclear whether he made it onto the pitch.
It later emerged that Britain First, a far-right group, had claimed responsibility for the stunt. They said they had 'teamed up with local Salford patriots' to protest against the former England international's 'treachery'.
Chants from supporters of 'Gary Neville is a w****r' could also be heard at Moor Lane, as the game was briefly delayed.
Criticising the flags, Neville had said: 'The 50-year-old began his video, which he posted to LinkedIn, by saying: 'Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community, just a mile from here.'
But after pausing to take a breath as he walked down the street, Neville switched his attention to the raising of flags - a movement called 'Operation Raise the Colours' which has gripped swathes of Britain this year.
He continued: 'When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, I saw probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags. And on the way back I went down the parallel road, Bury New Road, which has got the Jewish community right at its heart and they're out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear.
'I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we're all being turned on each other. And the division that's being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they're doing.
'Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a Union Jack flag put up and I took it down instantly.'
Neville also hit back at claims he was unpatriotic, by adding: 'I played for my country 85 times, I love my country. I love Manchester and I love England, but I've been building in this city for 15 to 20 years and there's no one put a Union Jack flag up in the last 15 to 20 years, so why do you have to put one up now?
'Quite clearly it's sending a message to everybody that there's something you don't like.
'The Union Jack flag being used in a negative fashion is not right and I'm a proud supporter of England, Great Britain, of our country, and I'll champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.
'But I think we need to check ourselves, bring ourselves back to a neutral point, because we're being pulled right and left and we don't need to be, at all.'
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported last month how fake council letters had been sent around families warning them that they will be forced to home refugees if they fly the St George's flag.
The hoax letter said that 'patriotic' households in Gloucestershire which display the flag will be forced to house refugees.
Police confirmed they were looking into whether a crime had been committed. Gloucestershire Constabulary also warned residents not to call a number which was included on the letter.
It said that those displaying the England flag 'would be proud to assist your country'.
The letter wrote that a fictional former British territory in the Middle East called 'Legin' - referring to Nigel Farage with his name spelt backwards - had been taken over by far right extremists.
It said that a muslim tribe known as 'Pha Rage' was being deported, in a play-on-words about the Reform UK leader.
It said residents who agreed would receive a mug with a St George's flag on from King Charles.
Forest of Dean district councillor Alan Preest said the letters were 'childish' and 'silly'.
The Reform UK Councillor said the letters are 'wasting everybody's time'.
He told BBC News: 'It is the vulnerable people that I'm concerned about.'
A council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a letter that has been sent to residents in the Forest of Dean regarding the housing of refugees.
'Currently, the letter seems to have been distributed to addresses in Lydney.
'We want to reassure residents that this letter has not been written by Forest of Dean District Council and should be ignored.'
More to follow.
