Eamonn Holmes roars ‘don’t lecture me – give me a break!’ at livid GB News guest as Union Jack flag debate takes explosive turn
Eamonn Holmes shouted angrily ‘Don’t lecture me – leave me alone!’ at a guest as he moderated a debate on the Union Jack flag on GB News on Tuesday.
Royal broadcaster and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo joined anti-racism campaigner Imarn Ayton on the show to debate whether the Union Jack flag is too divisive.
The debate began when Eamonn discussed the recent news that a Norfolk village is divided over whether to fly the Union Jack flag, fearing it will ‘scare people away’.
The debate arose after Imarn said the British public should reconsider flying the Union Jack flag, which she said was “associated with the far-right”.
As Eamonn ended their heated and controversial exchange, he concluded the segment with his personal thoughts on growing up in Northern Ireland, prompting Imarn to react angrily.
Eamonn Holmes shouted angrily at a guest as he moderated a debate on the Union Jack flag on GB News on Tuesday (anti-racism campaigner Imarn Ayton, left, and Ellie Costello, right)
The debate began when Eamonn discussed the recent news that a Norfolk village is divided over whether to fly the Union Jack flag, fearing it will ‘scare people away’
Eamonn said: ‘When you fly a flag outside a village hall in Norfolk you think: what’s so special about it?’
Imarn hit back angrily: ‘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 segment.
“Be attentive to the beliefs and perspectives of others. If you are considerate and sympathetic to everyone and how we see the world, you will find yourself leading with equality. I’ll just end it here, so you know.”
Eamonn said, ‘Let me tell you something. You don’t have to lecture me. I’m in the middle trying to see both sides of the story…’
Imarn interrupted her: ‘Me too.’
Eamonn shouted: ‘I grew up in a country…’, before Imarn interrupted him again: ‘You should have stopped my story. [opinion] but you’re done with Rafe’s [opinion]’.
Presenter Eamonn assured: ‘I’m done with everyone. I’m trying to say you didn’t grow up in Northern Ireland where a flag represented something political and anti-religious in Northern Ireland, I did.’
Imarn said, ‘And just like with black people, you are not black sir, and I understand racism better than you do.
Royal broadcaster and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo (right) joined the show, along with 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 the Union Jack flag because it is ‘associated with the far right’
As Eamonn ended their heated and controversial exchange, he concluded the segment with his personal thoughts on growing up in Northern Ireland, prompting Imarn to hit back angrily
Eamonn said: ‘When you fly a flag outside a village hall in Norfolk you think: what’s so special about it?’
Imarn hit back angrily: ‘Be considerate. No, be considerate guys. I know you’ve finished your segment, but Eamonn, I’m not going to let you finish that segment.’
“Be considerate of the beliefs and perspectives of others. If you are considerate and sympathetic to everyone and how we see the world, you will find yourself leading with equality. Just so you know, I’ll finish it there,” she added
Eamonn said, ‘Let me tell you something. You don’t have to lecture me. I’m in the middle trying to see both sides of this… Ahh give me a break. Let’s go to the break. Back after this’
Fans were utterly shocked by Imarn’s views, calling her ‘offensive’ after she claimed the ‘British flag is associated with the far-right’
‘I haven’t experienced any racial discrimination or prejudice or bias in relation to being white, but what I have experienced is being black. Ahh Eamonn, we are the same babes.’
“Ahh give me a break. Let’s go to the break. Back after this,” Eamonn finished.
Fans were shocked by Imarn’s views, calling her ‘offensive’ after she claimed ‘the British flag is linked to the far-right’.
Fans wrote about X: ‘I don’t understand how Eamonn didn’t tip her off her chair, very professional’,
‘Someone should have turned her microphone off’,
‘Under the current rules, this woman is still constantly crossing the line into inciting hatred, isn’t she?’
‘It’s Imarn Ayton’s way or not. This person is reprehensible and the only reason TV companies give him airtime is for the entertainment factor. Doesn’t add any other value, I can never remember what they said.’