Gary Neville has hit back at critics and slammed the government over its plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The former Manchester United star has been a vocal critic of Boris Johnson's government in recent years, most recently attacking the Conservatives over parties held at Downing Street during lockdown.
Now, the Sky Sports pundit has slated the government as 'mean spirited' following the announcement of a deal to send asylum seekers who cross the English Channel without a visa to Rwanda, around 5,000 miles away. It comes after the 47-year-old mocked Conservative minister Tom Pursglove on Twitter as he appeared on TV to defend the new policy last week.
Mr Neville was accused of 'hating his country' by former Tory MEP David Bannerman in response to the tweet. But the ex-footballer, who played 85 times for England and was the team's assistant manager for four years, has now won praise after hitting back online.
In a post on Twitter responding to Mr Bannerman, he wrote: "I couldn’t love this country more. I just hate what you lot are doing to it.
"We’re being governed by a mean spirited set of lying charlatans without an ounce of decency. They voted for OUR children not to have food. FYI the Rwanda Policy will fail like most others they bring in!"
The tweet won the backing of another former England footballer, Gary Lineker, who replied on Twitter: "This ‘they hate this country’ nonsense is deliberately and dangerously divisive and completely untrue."
Mr Neville was one of the voices criticising Boris Johnson's government over the free school meals row in 2020, when United star Marcus Rashford's efforts helped to force a U-turn in providing food for children over the holidays. The Bury-born former professional joined the Labour party earlier this year.
In another dig at the reaction to Boris Johnson continuing as Prime Minister despite being fined for breaking lockdown rules at a Downing Street gathering, Mr Neville admitted yesterday he would soon be banned from driving - having racked up more than 12 points on his licence. He wrote on Twitter: "I can relate to this.
"Was recently caught speeding, around 35-40. For first time in 30 years i’m now over 12 points. So I am banned. Because that is the law. When you break the law it means no excuses, no gaslighting, no lies! Speed kills and I’m so sorry!"
