Gary Neville removes flag, denounces divisive displays after attack

Gary Neville said he removed a Union flag from one of his development sites and criticised a recent surge in Union and St George flags as a divisive response to a synagogue attack in Manchester, remarks that have drawn both support and condemnation. In a video posted to LinkedIn on Friday, the former England and Manchester United defender described driving through parts of north Manchester the night after the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester, in which two people were killed, and seeing dozens of flags displayed in residential streets.

Neville said he drove down Littleton Road and counted "probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags," then passed a parallel road, Bury New Road, where he saw members of the local Jewish community gathered and "defiant, not hiding or in fear." He said the contrast made him worry that communities were being turned on each other and said the display of flags was "mainly created by angry, middle‑aged white men, who know exactly what they are doing," a phrase he used in the video. Neville said he had recently taken a flag down from one of his building sites because he believed it was being used to send a negative message.