A Union Jack row engulfing a Norfolk village sparked fiery debate on GB News as anti-racism activist Imarn Ayton and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo locked horns.
The final word of the debate being given to the latter participant irked Ayton, who was then shut down by GB News’s Eamonn Holmes.
“Be considerate. I know you have finished your segment, but Eamonn I won’t let you get away with that one”, she fumed.
“Be considerate of other people’s beliefs and views. If you are considerate and empathetic of everyone else, you might find yourself leaving with equality.”
Holmes told Ayton: 'Don't lecture me on the Union Jack'
GB NEWS
Eamonn fumed: “You don’t have to lecture me. I sit in the middle trying to see both sides of things.
“You did not grow up in Northern Ireland where a flag represented something political, I did, I had to live with it.”
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Ayton then pointed out the colour of her skin, saying she “understands” racism more than anyone else on the GB News panel.
“Give me a break”, Haydel-Mankoo fired back as the row boiled over.
“Don’t lecture me on the Union Jack”, Eamonn responded.
Locals in Clacton are opposing plans to erect a flagpole outside the village hall out of fear it may dissuade people from moving there.
The parish council says it has heard “strong reactions for and against” an application for planning permission to erect a 9ft 6in flagpole outside the Claxton and Carleton St Peter village hall.
Heydel-Mankoo said people are trying to “stoke division” in the row.
“It’s a very depressing story”, he said.
“I don’t think it’s that divisive in this village, but a minority are trying to stoke division.
Leafy Norfolk village fumes as row erupts over flying Union Flag with some residents saying flag is 'divisive'CLAXTON VILLAGE HALL“In 2019, Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters waved the flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy.
“I think it’s an insult to the millions of black, brown and white soldiers who died fighting under the flag in the two world wars.”
Ayton argued: “You started your language by not using inclusive language. You forgot about the fact we’re talking about a British flag, not an English flag.
“You didn’t include Ireland and Scotland. Ireland were used to explore the different techniques of colonialism and slavery. So you slay ‘English flag’ and ignore them.
The Union Jack row sparked debate on GB News
GB NEWS
“The flag represents so many people across the world purely because of the British empire. A lot of black people see themselves in the flag.
“We’ve seen these riots lately, they keep going on about how British they are, that’s the truth.
“I used to think, ‘racism, lslamophobia, prejudice, bigotry, Union Jack’.
“Now because of the far-right individuals, I represent Britishness with the Union flag and the far-right.”