Eamonn Holmes furiously shouted ‘Don’t lecture me – give me a break!’ at a guest as he led a Union Jack flag debate on Tuesday’s GB News.
Royal broadcaster and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo joined the show alongside anti-racism activist Imarn Ayton to debate whether the Union Jack flag is too divisive.
The debate began as Eamonn discussed the recent news that a village in Norfolk feels divided over whether to fly the Union Jack flag, with fears it will ‘scare people away’.
The debate erupted after Imarn said the British people should reconsider flying the Union Jack flag because she claims it has ‘associations with the far-right’.
As Eamonn halted their heated and controversial discussion, he ended the segment with his personal opinion after he grew up on Northern Ireland – which sparked Imarn to furiously hit back.
Eamonn Holmes furiously shouted at a guest as he led a Union Jack flag debate on Tuesday’s GB News (anti-racism activist Imarn Ayton, left, and Ellie Costello, right)
The debate began as Eamonn discussed the recent news that a village in Norfolk feels divided over whether to fly the Union Jack flag, with fears it will ‘scare people away’
Eamonn said: ‘Running a flag outside a village hall in Norfolk, you sort of think what’s the big deal.’
Imarn furiously hit back: ‘Be considerate. No, be considerate guys. I know you’ve finished your segment but Eamonn I’m not going to let you finish with that one.
‘Be considerate of other people’s beliefs and views. If you are considerate and sympathetic of everyone and how we perceive the world, you might find yourself leading with equality. Just so you know, I’ll finish it there.’
Eamonn said: ‘Let me just tell you something. You don’t have to lecture me. I sit in the middle, trying to see both sides of things…’
Imarn interjected: ‘Well, I have too.’
Eamonn shouted: ‘I grew up in a country…’, before Imarn interrupted again: ‘You should have finished with mine [opinion] but you finished with Rafe’s [opinion]’.
Host Eamonn assured: ‘I finished with everyone. I’m trying to say you did not grow up in Northern Ireland, where a flag represented something political and anti to a certain religion in northern Ireland, I did.’
Imarn said: ‘And just like with black people, you are not black sir and I understand racism more than you.
Royal broadcaster and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo (right) joined the show alongside anti-racism activist Imarn Ayton (left) to debate whether the Union Jack flag is too divisive
The debate erupted after Imarn claimed the British people should reconsider flying the Union Jack flag because it has ‘associations with the far-right’
As Eamonn halted their heated and controversial discussion, he ended the segment with his personal opinion after he grew up on Northern Ireland – which sparked Imarn to furiously hit back
Eamonn said: ‘Running a flag outside a village hall in Norfolk, you sort of think what’s the big deal.’
Imarn furiously hit back: ‘Be considerate. No, be considerate guys. I know you’ve finished your segment but Eamonn I’m not going to let you finish with that one’
‘Be considerate of other people’s beliefs and views. If you are considerate and sympathetic of everyone and how we perceive the world, you might find yourself leading with equality. Just so you know, I’ll finish it there’, she added
Eamonn said: ‘Let me just tell you something. You don’t have to lecture me. I sit in the middle, trying to see both sides of things… Ahh give me a break. Let’s go to the break. Back after this’
Fans were completely appalled by Imarn’s opinions and branded her ‘offensive’ after she claimed the ‘British flag is linked to far-right’
‘I haven’t experienced racial discrimination or prejudice or bias in regards to being white but what I have done is experienced it being black. Ahh Eamonn, we’re the same babes.’
‘Ahh give me a break. Let’s go to the break. Back after this’, Eamonn finished.
Fans were completely appalled by Imarn’s opinions and branded her ‘offensive’ after she claimed the ‘British flag is linked to far-right’.
Taking to X, fans wrote: ‘I don’t know how Eamonn didn’t tip her off her chair, very professional’,
‘Someone should have turned her mic off’,
‘Surely under the current rules this woman constantly crosses the line into stirring up hatred?’,
‘It’s Imarn Ayton’s way or no way. This person is reprehensible and the only reason TV companies give them airtime is because of the entertainment factor. Adds no other value, I don’t ever recall what they said.’