Big Brother star Emily Hewertson sparked a debate over flags in the latest episode of the ITV reality show, declaring council buildings should fly only the national flag.
Ms Hewertson sparked the discussion as the housemates prepared food together, stating: "Councils and other state-owned institutions should only be allowed to fly regional and the national flag."
When asked to elaborate, she added: "Councils shouldn't be able to fly flags of other countries, or flags for social movements."
Her fellow housemate Jenny Baird clarified Ms Hewertson point, commenting: "So Derry hangs a Palestine flag, you think it shouldn't be allowed?"
Emily Hewerston sparked a flag debate in last night's Big Brother
|ITV
"Yeah, I just think in this country, if it's a state-owned institution, it should only be our flag," Ms Hewertson argued.
"So they can't put things like social movements and stuff?" another housemate asked.
"Yeah, I don't think they should," the evicted and reinstated contestant replied.
Getting more specific, she asked her fellow co-stars: "What about Ukraine? I think no. We can show our support in other ways. What does a flag show?"
Elsa labelled the conversation 'c**p'
|ITV
"It just shows you support them, like a Palestine flag," Ms Baird answered.
"Yeah but councils should be neutral on things like that," the Conservative influencer countered.
Tate Reynolds chimed: "I think if it's government and everyone's tax is paying it, like if you're paying tax on a social movement you don't agree with, you don't want to see that flag flung outside, it should be a neutral thing."
"Also, councils are here to you know, solve the pothole crisis. They're not anything to do with what's happening in the Middle East. I think it's wildly inappropriate," Ms Hewertson went on.
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"There's Scottish flags and everything in Derry," Ms Baird shared, prompting Mr Reynolds to ask: "Why?"
"Don't f***ing know, mate," she responded.
Speaking in the diary room, Elsa Rae admitted: "I don't even know what they're talking about tonight, just a bunch of c**p really.
"I don't know, I'm not involved in that conversation, I'm just waiting for my roast potatoes, to be honest."
Emily Hewerston argued council buildings should only fly national flags
|ITV
The ITV show posted the clip to Big Brother's Instagram account, prompting fans of the show to leave their own opinions in the comments section.
"Ok cool so no poppy awareness by any council or state owned company?" one pointed out.
A second argued: "I don’t know why Emily cares so much, it's a piece of fabric."
Another remarked: "Jenny you have my vote now," with someone else arguing: "Fascinated to know how much money people imagine councils are spending on flags.
"I feel like there used to be a time in this country when it wasn’t controversial to support equal human rights for everyone."
"Emily didn’t say anything bad. She had a neutral stance, Tate only wanted the Ukraine," another commented.
Another echoed: "I agree with Emily," alongside clapping emojis. (sic)