Commentator Benjamin Butterworth has sparked fury on GB News after branding those putting up flags in areas such as Tower Hamlets "jobless yobos".

Discussing the actions of the 'Operation Raise the Colours' patriotism campaign, Mr Butterworth triggered a blistering row after claiming those hoisting the flags are "losers".

Tower Hamlets council has come under fire for removing flags of St George, which they claimed was part of a "responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure".

Benjamin Butterworth and Jake Berry clashed in a blistering row over British flags being erected in Tower Hamlets

Hitting out at the patriotic Britons for putting up the flags, Mr Butterworth stated: "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."

Interjecting, Mr Butterworth, broadcaster Carole Malone hit back: "How do you know they're jobless?!"

Mr Butterworth then argued: "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."

St George's flags have been attached to lamp posts in Tower Hamlets | X

Outraged by Mr Butterworth's remarks, Reform UK party member Sir Jake Berry pressed Mr Butterworth on "what law it breaks" by displaying a British flag.

Mr Berry questioned Mr Butterworth: "What law does it break? What law does it break? You told us it's illegal, what law does it break?"

Mr Butterworth hit back: "Well, it would be just like fly posting, that's illegal. You can't stick your Chinese shop advert on the lamp post."

Mr Berry then 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."

Mr Butterworth sparked fury on the panel after branding patriots 'flag-waving losers'

Mr Butterworth reiterated his argument once more, calling on those erecting flags to "get a grip".

"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."

Supporting the patriotic spirit of Britons, Mr Berry concluded: "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.

"They've got it in the United States of America. Let's reinstall in our young people the feeling of patriotic pride."