BREAKINGNEWSFormer Loose Women star Saira Khan makes SCATHING COMMENTS about flag-raisers that spark outrage

Former Loose Women star Saira Khan’s fiery comments about flag-raisers have sparked backlash (Image: ITV)

Former Loose Women panellist Saira Khan has come under fire after a fiery appearance on Jeremy Vine’s Channel 5 show on Monday where she branded people who raise the British flag as “saddos who drink a lot”. The 55-year-old sparked fury among viewers as she backed Gary Neville’s controversial claim that “angry, middle-aged white men” are dividing the country. Neville, 50, had shared a video on Linkedin saying Britain’s social tension was “mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they’re doing” — a comment that immediately went viral.

Discussing the clip on Monday’s show, Saira told host Jeremy Vine she “completely agreed” with the footballer and praised him for “talking about topics other people shy away from”. “I really applaud Gary Neville,” she said. “Flying the flag isn’t a problem when it’s for sport or national events, but right now it feels like it’s being used by certain groups to be divisive. I completely agree with him.”

Gary claimed that ‘angry, middle-aged white men’ are dividing the country (Image: linkedin)

When Jeremy tried to jump in, Saira doubled down. “I saw four men climbing up a ladder putting up flags at a roundabout,” she said.

“It was 2.30 in the afternoon and I thought, why are you not in a job? Why are you not volunteering somewhere? You’re being a public nuisance and creating a health hazard.”

The TV panellist went on to say she believed those men “probably drink a lot” and looked “largered up”.

“I’m sorry, but just by the shape of their bodies — and I don’t care if that sounds controversial — I’m making a judgement on their appearance. They were wearing capes, waving flags, and giving me gestures. I just thought, you’re saddos, absolute saddos.”

She added: “Where I live, there isn’t a single flag flying and you can’t tell me that means we’re not patriotic.”

Fellow guest James Max, 55, said he understood Neville’s point but accused him of fuelling division himself.

“When you start saying this is just angry, middle-aged white men, that’s problematic in itself,” he said. “He’s being as divisive with his words because of how he’s framed his argument.”

Host Jeremy then remarked: “It’s odd to say these are angry middle-aged white men who are trying to divide us, because the word ‘angry’ suggests they’re not in control of themselves.”

Saira hit back: “They’re not. If you look at marches or protests, a lot of these men are white, angry and dissatisfied with their own lives. That’s how they let it out.”

Her comments lit up social media, with many viewers branding her remarks “disgraceful”. One person wrote: “Had to turn it off — couldn’t listen to Saira Khan shouting any longer.”

Another said: “If people choose the United Kingdom as their home, they shouldn’t have a problem with the flag.”

A third fumed: “#JeremyVine why can’t your guest just talk instead of shouting and ranting — straight out of the left-wing playbook.”