Commentator Benjamin Butterworth triggered a blistering on-air row after calling Britons hoisting St George flags “losers” and “jobless yobos” during a heated GB News debate about the Operation Raise the Colours patriotism campaign.
The controversial journalist sparked outrage on Monday evening when he launched a scathing attack on patriots placing English and British flags on lampposts in Tower Hamlets, east London. His inflammatory remarks led to a fierce confrontation with Reform UK’s Sir Jake Berry and broadcaster Carole Malone during the primetime programme.
Butterworth’s tirade came as councils across England face mounting criticism for removing St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags whilst previously allowing Palestinian banners to remain in place for months. The debate centred on Tower Hamlets council’s decision to tear down patriotic displays as part of what officials called their “responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure.
‘Flag-waving losers’ comment ignites studio fury
During the explosive exchange, Butterworth declared: “Honestly, you all need to get a grip, these flag-waving losers. I’m afraid these jobless yobos are just acting like people in a school playground.”
The incendiary remarks immediately drew fire from fellow panellist Carole Malone, who interjected: “How do you know they’re jobless?!”
Butterworth doubled down on his criticism, responding: “Because they’ve clearly got nothing better to do. I’m talking about these people who have got nothing better to do with their lives. They go to random lamp posts and hoist flags, which is simply illegal regardless of what flag it is. You’re not doing anything patriotic by sticking up the England flag.”
Sir Jake Berry challenges ‘illegal’ claims
Reform UK party member Sir Jake Berry launched a fierce counterattack, demanding Butterworth clarify his assertion that displaying the national flag was illegal. In a heated exchange, Berry repeatedly pressed: “What law does it break? What law does it break? You told us it’s illegal, what law does it break?”
Butterworth attempted to justify his position, stating: “Well, it would be just like fly posting, that’s illegal. You can’t stick your Chinese shop advert on the lamp post.”
This comparison provoked an angry response from Berry, who fumed: “This is our national flag! What law does it break? You don’t know it’s illegal. You said it was illegal, but you don’t know ’cause you’re making it up.”
Operation Raise the Colours movement spreads
The controversy stems from the rapidly spreading Operation Raise the Colours campaign, which has seen patriots across England erecting St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags on public infrastructure. The movement, which began in Birmingham last week, has now reached Tower Hamlets, one of London’s most diverse boroughs with a Muslim population of approximately 40 per cent.
Local residents have been spotted attaching flags to lampposts and even painting St George’s crosses on roundabouts in what supporters describe as a “patriotic outpouring. The campaign has gained significant traction on social media, with viral videos showing builders, workers and citizens participating in the flag-raising activities.
Birmingham City Council was the first to act, removing flags and claiming they posed dangers to motorists and pedestrians. Tower Hamlets council followed suit, announcing they would remove the displays “as soon as possible” as part of routine maintenance.
‘Two-tier’ accusations dominate debate
The flag removals have intensified accusations of double standards against local authorities. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned what he called “absurd national self-loathing”, stating: “Tower Hamlets council have allowed Palestinian flags to be publicly displayed on lampposts but not the flag of our country. This is yet more two-tier bias against the British people.”
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed these sentiments, questioning: “Why would we leave Palestinian flags up and take down flags that represent one of the countries of the UK?
The controversy is particularly acute in Tower Hamlets, where Palestinian flags remained on display for months following Israel’s 2023 military operations in Gaza. These were only removed in March 2024 after complaints from Jewish residents who found them “oppressive and intimidating”.
Butterworth stands firm amid backlash
Despite the fierce opposition, Butterworth maintained his stance throughout the debate, reiterating: “These people need to get a grip. They’re not doing anything for Britain by flying an English flag on a roundabout. They’re doing it because they want a fight and they want retweets and they’ve got nothing better to do.”
The commentator, who writes for The i newspaper and has over 5,500 Instagram followers, has previously courted controversy with his views on patriotism and British identity. His latest remarks have drawn widespread condemnation from viewers and fellow commentators alike.
Berry calls for patriotic education
In a passionate conclusion to the debate, Sir Jake Berry advocated for greater displays of national pride in British institutions. If we pass one law in this country, it should be that every single classroom has the British flag in and a portrait of the King, just like the United States,” he declared.
Berry added: “They’ve got it in the United States of America. Let’s reinstall in our young people the feeling of patriotic pride.”
Council response and ongoing tensions
A Tower Hamlets council spokesperson defended their position, stating: “While we recognise people wish to express their views, we have a responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure. Where flags are attached to council-owned infrastructure without permission, they may be removed as part of routine maintenance.”
The council maintains it has “a policy setting out which flags are flown from council buildings and on which occasions”, though critics argue this policy appears to be selectively enforced.
Meanwhile, all twelve Reform UK-controlled local authorities have pledged not to remove any British flags from their infrastructure, characterising them as symbols of “unity and inclusion.
Far-right links spark concern
The Operation Raise the Colours campaign has drawn support from controversial figures including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, raising concerns about the movement’s associations. However, many participants insist they are ordinary citizens expressing legitimate patriotic sentiment.
Local resident Ian Anderson, 40, told reporters: “I certainly don’t agree with vandalising roads or roundabouts, after all flags are just flags and can be taken down. However, there is a real sense that people who are proud to be British are being made to feel ashamed of their patriotism.”
As the debate rages on, the flag controversy has exposed deep divisions about national identity, patriotism and perceived double standards in modern Britain. With protests continuing and councils maintaining their stance, the battle over British flags shows no signs of abating.
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