GB News host Emily Carver was forced to intervene in a fiery debate after taking issue with a comment made by political commentator Matthew Stadlen about the Union Jack.
Defending Britain’s Eurovision entrant Olly Alexander’s controversial comments about the flag, Stadlen said it has been a “highly divisive” symbol.
“I remember going to football games back in the 90s when it was still a symbol of the BNP and of nationalism”, he said.
Carver rallied against the remark as she argued: “The vast majority of people looking at the Union Flag never thought, ‘oh the British National Party’, did they?
Emily Carver took issue with a claim made by Stadlen
GB NEWS
“Come on Matthew.”
Defending his argument, Stadlen continued: “I am profoundly patriotic. I am not a nationalist and there’s an important difference.
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“It’s not that I think we are somehow supreme, but I love my country. I’m deeply proud of it.
“I would wager a bet, Emily, that I’ve been to more England internationals, football, cricket and rugby, than the entire GB News presenting team put together.”
Broadcaster Christine Hamilton waded in on the discussion to argue the number of international sports events Stadlen has attended “could not be less relevant”.
“The thing that is divisive about the flag is that it divides us from other countries”, she said.
Olly Alexander is the UK's Eurovision entrantPA
Olly Alexander's comments sparked a lively debate on GB News
GB NEWS
“Any true Brit should be absolutely, incredibly proud to be out there flying the flag and representing this country.
“He wants to ‘reclaim it’, what a flaming cheek. Who on earth is he to reclaim the flag?
“We have claimed the flag, it’s our flag, it’s one of the best flags in the country and it is a fantastic symbol of everything that is good about our country.
“To try and say it represents a far right is rubbish. He is not going to get anywhere anyway, let’s be honest, the song is rubbish.
“We need somebody who can really, truly, wholeheartedly represent this country with every fibre of their being.”
Alexander, 33, sparked fury after admitting in an interview with the Big Issue that he feels “ambivalent” about the Union Jack flag.
He spoke about his hopes of “reclaiming the flag in a positive way” as he prepares to represent the country at Eurovision.