Sunday, 10 Nov 2024

Boris poses with massive England flag and Scots are furious

Boris Johnson has installed a huge St George’s flag on Downing Street ahead of England’s Euro 2020 quarter final.

But the stunt has provoked fury north of the border, with Scots claiming the ‘unionist’ Prime Minister has shown no support for their national side.

Mr Johnson’s massive flag stretches the whole width of the road and lines up with the door of Number 10.

He posed for official photos giving two thumbs up and signed the flag alongside England manager Gareth Southgate.

The PM has been very vocal in his support for the English national side and has closely followed their progress in the tournament.

He shared photos of himself and wife Carrie watching the game against Germany as well as a much-mocked clip of him celebrating Harry Kane’s goal.

Mr Johnson was then quick to reference the 2-0 win when German chancellor Angela Merkel visited on Friday.

Posting a video of himself posing with the new flag, the PM said he was ‘supporting England and supporting all the values that our country represents, particularly ensuring that we have respect for diversity across our country’.

The flag is part of the English Football Association’s respect campaign and Mr Johnson wrote on Twitter: ‘Discrimination has no place in football and we want to ensure a fun and inclusive environment for everyone. Good luck to the team today, we’re right behind you!’

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But Scots were quick to point out that Mr Johnson has not shown the same enthusiasm for their side, who went out in the group stages of the competition, or Wales, who reached the last 16.

The independence-supporting newspaper The National wrote: ‘We’ve looked for David Cameron posing with a giant Wales flag from when that team got to the Euro semi-finals in 2016, but couldn’t find one. What’s changed between then and now?

‘Whatever it may be, it’s odd that this is the same Boris Johnson who said last year: “I do not believe in gestures”.

‘Actually, considering Boris Johnson’s numerous inconsistencies, perhaps it’s not that odd at all.’

The flag was also criticised on Twitter, with one Labour supporter writing: ‘I understand a home nation is playing but considering we are the UK & have separatists trying to break the British Union this just looks awful.’

Another said: ‘Prime Minister of England showing his support for his #OneNation there..’

Podcast host Alex Andreou tweeted: ‘Well, this will go a long way towards soothing Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish people, convince them that we really are a union of partners and Downing St has the interests of the whole UK at heart. *arches left eyebrow*’

Meanwhile, SNP MP Angus MacNeil said it was ‘excellent work from the English PM.’

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