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Gary Neville has revealed that he ordered the removal of a union flag from one of his property development locations because it was being "employed in a divisive manner," as he encouraged his audience to question what it means to be patriotic.

An Online Statement

In a video posted on Friday, the sports pundit and developer said he believed that "people are being pitted against one another," laying a great deal of the fault for the division on "angry, middle-aged white men … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."

A Tale of Two Roads

He spoke about his journey on a road in Salford, and seeing "probably 50-60 union jack flags" on that stretch of his journey. He then juxtaposed this against his trip home through the neighboring street, Bury New Road, where the Jewish community were "visible outdoors, standing strong, unafraid."

Action Taken

The pundit, who has developed a vast property empire in Manchester since leaving professional football in 2011, said he ordered the removal of a Union Jack being shown at one of his construction sites.

"Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a British flag put up and I ordered its prompt removal," he said.

On Patriotism

"A portion of the audience could believe and thinking: 'Gary, you lack patriotism.' I represented my nation on 85 occasions, I am proud of my country, I am devoted to Manchester and I cherish England," he declared.

Neville, 50, said that in the time he has been developing in the city, he had not observed Union Jacks at the existing level and asked why this was happening.

"The Union Jack used in a negative fashion is unacceptable and I consider myself a devoted backer of England, of Britain, of the UK and will promote it globally as among the best nations to reside in," he stated.

An Appeal for Self-Assessment

"But I think we need to check ourselves," he went on, "assess our actions and contemplate about returning to a balanced position because we’re being pulled right and left and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all."

Broader Commentary

The Sky Sports commentator has frequently voiced his opinions on societal and political matters, including that people should “detest” the poor working conditions for foreign workers in Qatar and NHS staff in the UK.

Togetherness Through Sport

In his online presentation, Neville commented on the diversity of football, saying that he played with people from across the UK and from around the world. "We were a beautiful team, united as one," he noted.

Post-Brexit Impact

He said he attributed fault to Brexit for its "devastating effect" on the country, and said the "messaging" of separation was becoming "highly perilous."

"These foolish individuals that are out there spreading hate speech in every form and mistreatment in all its forms, it is vital we no longer amplify them," he emphasized.

"We should cease directing attention to them and the situation requires an instant halt and restore a land of affection, of peace, of accord and unite as one once more."