Gary Neville has stated that he removed a Union Jack flag from one of his Manchester building sites because he felt it was being "used in a negative fashion". The former Manchester United and England footballer turned property developer expressed his views in a video posted on social media, the day after an attack at a Manchester synagogue.
Neville explained that while driving through the Salford neighborhood, he saw a large number of Union Jack flags displayed. Juxtaposing this, he noted the nearby Jewish community was "out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear" on Bury New Road. This contrast led him to reflect on the divisions within the country.
"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," Neville said. He attributed much of the blame for this division to "angry middle-aged white men who know exactly what they're doing".
Neville, now a property developer in Manchester, revealed that he took down a Union Jack flag at one of his development sites. "Funnily enough, on one of my development sites last week there was a Union Jack flag put up, and I took it down instantly," he stated.
Neville anticipated that some might view his actions as unpatriotic. He defended himself, saying, "Some people might be watching this and thinking: 'Gary, you're not really patriotic.' I've played for my country 85 times, I love my country, I love Manchester, and I love England". He questioned the sudden appearance of Union Jack flags, noting that in his 15 to 20 years of building in the city, he had not seen them displayed at the current rate. "Why do you need to put one up now?" he asked, suggesting that it sends a message that "there is something you don't like".
Neville clarified his position, emphasizing his support for England and Great Britain. "The Union Jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right, and I'm a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country, and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live," he said. However, he urged people to "check ourselves and start to think about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because we're being pulled right and left, and we don't need to be pulled right and left at all".
Neville also commented on the impact of Brexit, saying, "Brexit has had a devastating effect on this country, and the messaging is getting dangerous, extremely dangerous". He called for an end to hate speech and abuse, advocating for a return to "a country of love, of peace, of harmony".
