Former footballer Gary Neville the pundit says he removed a union flag being 'employed in a negative fashion'.

The former Manchester United star disclosed that he ordered the removal of a Union Jack from one of his Manchester development sites because it was being "displayed in a harmful way," as he encouraged his audience to question what it means to be a proud citizen.

A Social Media Post

In a video posted on Friday, the sports pundit and developer said he believed that "society is being turned against itself," placing a significant portion of the responsibility for the divide on "angry, middle-aged white men … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."

Contrasting Streets

He described driving down Littleton Road, and seeing "dozens of British flags" on that part of his route. He then juxtaposed this against his trip home through the neighboring street, Bury New Road, where the Jewish populace were "visible outdoors, standing strong, unafraid."

Flag Removal

The pundit, who has developed a vast property empire in Manchester since ending his playing career in 2011, said he ordered the removal of a union flag being flown on a development property.

"Funnily enough on one of my construction sites last week there was a Union Jack displayed and I took it down instantly," he said.

On Patriotism

"A portion of the audience could believe and thinking: 'Neville, you don't love your country.' I’ve played for my country 85 times, I have great affection for England, I am devoted to Manchester and I cherish England," he stated.

Neville, 50, said that in the period he has worked in the city, he had not observed Union Jacks at the present frequency and pondered the reason for this increase.

"The Union Jack used in a negative fashion is improper and I consider myself a devoted backer of the nation, of Great Britain, of our country and will defend it internationally as one of the greatest places to live," he proclaimed.

An Appeal for Self-Assessment

"Yet, I feel it is crucial we reflect," he continued, "check ourselves and start to think about returning to a balanced position because we’re being pulled right and left and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all."

Past Political Views

The television pundit has frequently voiced his opinions on political and social issues, for instance urging the public to "abhor" the poor working conditions for overseas laborers in Qatar and NHS staff in the UK.

Unity in Football

In his social media footage, Neville reflected on the variety within the sport, saying that he played with people from across the UK and from across the globe. "It was a magnificent squad, totally together," he recalled.

Post-Brexit Impact

He said he blamed Brexit for its "harmful impact" on the country, and said the "rhetoric" of division was becoming "profoundly risky."

"Such irresponsible people that are out there spreading hate speech in every form and mistreatment in all its forms, we must stop promoting them," he emphasized.

"We must stop elevating our voices towards them and this must end immediately and return to a nation of affection, of peace, of accord and become a team again."

Rodney Parks
Rodney Parks

Tech enthusiast and business strategist with a passion for Nordic innovations and sustainable growth.