Former BBC journalist Danny Kelly has criticised his former employer live on GB News, claiming the broadcaster is partly responsible for perpetuating what he called a 'lie' about the Union Jack being hijacked by the far-right.
Appearing on Martin Daubney's mid-afternoon show on Monday (August 17), Kelly was asked: 'Are you proud to be British still?' He replied: 'Yes, I'm tremendously proud to be British, Martin, but I'll tell you what infuriates the hell out of me.'
Flags abroad and at home
Kelly, who had just returned from a holiday in Greece, contrasted the display of national flags abroad with attitudes in the UK. He said: 'I've just come back from Greece, where there are Greek flags flying everywhere. The year before, I was in Turkey, and there were Turkish flags flying everywhere. You don't get dopy, lefty liberals telling you that it's racist to fly flags in Greece or Turkey.'
He went on: 'Do you know what? We are suckers because about 40 or 50 years ago, some progressive left-winger all of a sudden decided to come up with a lie that the Union Jack, which is flying beautifully on our television screens, has been hijacked by the far-right.'
BBC blamed for decline in pride
Kelly argued that the BBC are partly to blame for the lack of national pride, citing Naga Munchetty's 2021 mockery of the Union Jack. He said: 'And the BBC are partly responsible for perpetuating this rubbish. Just remember, Naga Munchetty in 2021, who openly mocked and ridiculed the Union Jack. When GB News decided to open up the Breakfast show with the national anthem, believe you me, they would have sneered.'
Viewers reacted online, with one writing: 'The British flag has been demonised by the far-left!' Another agreed: 'Danny Kelly... well said.' A third argued: 'Pride in Britain is a thing of the past. Right-wing racist propagandists flood the airwaves with hate like it's their favourite topic.'
