GB News presenter Alexander Armstrong has launched into a fierce rant following the latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the St George's flag. Earlier this week, Birmingham City Council sought a High Court injunction to stop members of the anti-migrant group Raise the Colours from putting up flags in the city.
The authority said the action followed an "evidence-led process" which was focused on public safety, lawful highway management and community cohesion. The Birmingham group has been actively erecting Union flags and St George's Cross flags on lampposts in several suburbs, sparking angry clashes with opposing groups and residents.
Broadcaster's on-air outburst
On Saturday night (August 29), the 35-year-old broadcaster launched into a lengthy rant about the decline in national pride. The broadcaster pointed out the various ways the city has celebrated other nations over the years, including raising the Pakistani and Somali flags and celebrating Pakistani Independence Day.
He fumed: "I wonder what would happen if English people decided to celebrate St George's Day like they are allowed to celebrate Pakistani Independence Day? What would the outcome of that be?"
Home Office criticism
It comes after Home Office civil servants were criticised over the use of St George's Cross. Mr Armstrong revealed: "This week, we also learnt that the Home Office civil servants were given a safe space beating over the so-called use of the St George's Cross.
"One of them asked, 'Am I in danger?' supposedly, as another one of them called the flag 'triggering'." He went on to demand that these Home Office employees "should all just be sacked".
Viewer reactions
He snapped: "You can't work in the Home Office and be afraid of our flag, surely? In my opinion, this is about teaching English people that their own flag is the one identity that they can't show in public and that you are racist if you do so.
"It's an attack on our national pride, an attack on our identity and more pandering to foreign interests who clearly have no love for England's [flag], do they? If our flag offends you so much, then it's really simple: just leave England."
It didn't take long for viewers to flock to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their thoughts on the explosive rant online. One user argued: "The St George's Cross is a legitimate symbol of England, but the council says its action is about unauthorised attachments to highways, safety, and alleged intimidation of staff."
Another agreed: "Flag today, it'll be the National Anthem next. Slowly, slowly destroying the nation. It's already unrecognisable from a few years ago." A third chimed in with: "Never a true word spoken, a thumbs up to Alex Armstrong. RESPECT."
Meanwhile, a fourth argued: "Birmingham City Council is seeking a High Court injunction to stop unauthorised flags and other attachments on the highway - specifically flags put up by activists on lampposts. It's about ALL flags placed WITHOUT PERMISSION in public highway spaces."
