Commentator Alex Deane has criticised Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service's participation in a nail-painting campaign as "performative nonsense" that fails to address real issues.
The initiative, organised by charity Hard as Nails, saw male firefighters paint their nails to encourage discussion about gender identity and toxic masculinity.
Speaking to GB News, he said: "I think you could speak about this for hours, to be honest with you, but I think it's more misogyny than toxic masculinity.
"But we have an issue with. The trouble is, it seems to me that the problems being identified are in no way connected to the pseudo solution that is being touted, which is plainly just performative nonsense about firemen painting their.
Alex Deane has criticised the campaign
GB NEWS
"It's this performance of nonsense of men who didn't paint their nails before and won't do again after this.
"It's supposedly changing and anything relevant about masculinity or anything else. I mean, let's turn it the other way around.
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"Let's imagine someone didn't like to participate, and then somebody's house is on fire and they say, I'm sorry, but before you put that out, can you show me your fingernails or let me know if you took part in the hardest nails painting, exercise?
"Because I'm not sure I want you to put my house out or cut me out of this car on the motorway. It's just guff, isn't it?"
Commentator Matthew Torbitt said: "As a sort of straight white guy group, working class, I've never felt under attack.
"I've always felt the world was a little bit unfair because you're born into whatever circumstances you are.
"I'm not sure if we've got a toxic masculinity problem. What I think we do have in this country is an issue with misogyny."
Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service shared an image of a firefighter with red and green painted nails as part of the campaign.
The force explained that "something as simple as painting your nails can spark a much bigger discussion".
They added: "It's a reminder that small actions can break down barriers, encourage allyship, and create spaces where men feel comfortable having open conversations."
The force explained that "something as simple as painting your nails can spark a much bigger discussion."
GB NEWS
Hard as Nails campaigner Jeff Buck, 70, defended the initiative, saying the firefighters were "doing something symbolic" for a "very important project".
"Here were firefighters, who are some of the bravest men we've got in our society, who are quite happy to symbolically paint a nail and say, 'Yes, I'm supporting this project'," he told the BBC.
The charity's initiative was designed to spark conversations about gender identity and toxic masculinity through the simple act of men painting their nails.
Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service described their participation as an effort to create spaces where men feel comfortable having open conversations.
