Today, a resolute Gary Neville refused to retract his ITV “party political presentation” that compared working conditions in the UK to those in Qatar, where up to 6,500 migrant labourers perished while assisting with World Cup preparations.
Labour member and former Manchester United defender who is now a commentator has come under fire for being blatantly hypocritical after agreeing to work with Qatar’s state-run sports network BeIN SPORTS despite that nation’s awful record on human rights.
The World Cup final was being watched by millions of British football fans, so when he began to shout, there was even greater outrage. ITV was criticized for not stepping in, and it is now being encouraged not to hire him again.
Neville went on an unusual tirade, alleging that the UK’s protesting nurses and railroad employees were subject to similar circumstances to Qatar’s massive migrant labor force.
He said that British governments were “demonizing” employees in the public sector.
He remained steadfast today, tweeting that “cold-heart Tories are putting lives at danger” by refusing to reach a striking agreement with NHS workers. He even made it seem like one of the critics was intoxicated.
One observer told him that he could “never wash off… all that delicious qatar gold” and dubbed him “the perfect epitome of champagne socialism.” Mr. Neville replied with a slew of emoticons, one of which conveyed mocking kisses.
As numerous Labour MPs raced to his defense last night, ITV said that it did not “endorse” his views. Since Mr. Neville represents Sky, he probably won’t appear on ITV for a while, but some people are pleading with the network to do away with him.
Lee Anderson, a Tory lawmaker, referred to it as a “party political broadcast by a wealthy.” Mr. Neville said, “Hope he enjoys his remaining 18 months as an MP,” before declining to confront him on television tonight or challenge him in his Ashfield district.
The Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley, Louise Haigh, defended a fellow party member by cynically stating that Mr. Neville was “the next victim to (sic) woke cancel culture.”
Qatar has come under fire for both the frequency of fatalities on building sites and for allegedly exploitative labour practices. Since the World Cup was granted in 2011, according to a Guardian investigation from the previous year, more than 6,500 people from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have perished there.
Simon Clarke, a former leveling-up secretary, called Neville’s parallel “grotesque,” and ITV said that it did not share Neville’s views.
Former player Neville, who represented Manchester United and England, responded to fellow analyst Roy Keane’s assertion that the World Cup had been marred by corruption.
Neville, 47, said, “We should abhor low wages, inadequate living and working circumstances.”
“We can never allow that in our area or any other region,” the speaker said. It’s also important to note that our nation has a government that demonizes nurses, ambulance drivers, and train employees.
“We can’t have people living in repulsive and terrible housing or being paid an absolute pittance to work.”
Given the affluence in this country—Qatar—it shouldn’t happen. However, it shouldn’t be the case that our nurses have to struggle for an additional pound or two in our nation.
Yesterday’s remarks by Neville caused a social media uproar.
It is simply outrageous that he is allowed carte blanche by ITV Sport to shamelessly politicize a major sports event, Tory MP Mr. Clarke tweeted.
Apart from the fact that every nurse is getting a wage increase of £1,400, it is absurd to compare Qatar’s employees’ rights to those in the UK.
Neville, a member of the Labour Party, should have been cut off, according to former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith. He said, “And he compares it to the UK? People have been murdered on construction sites and other places all throughout Qatar and paid a pittance. It’s incredible.
He exploited his position by comparing a democratic nation with the idea of human rights, the rule of law, and everything that goes with it to a nation that demonizes homosexual rights, kills people, takes in migrant labor by the truckload, and pays them pittances.
“It’s a typical instance of another champagne socialist who’s got more money than brains,” said Lee Anderson, the Conservative member of parliament for Ashfield. He should be fired by ITV.
He continued: “Another party political broadcast by a billionaire” on Twitter. ITV seems to be on my blacklist at the moment. Gary, talk about football and stay away of politics. You are speaking without knowledge.
Later, Neville responded to the MP on social media, writing: “I’m happy you’re irate! The greatest group of charlatans to ever hold office!
As many as 6,500 migrant workers who were employed on World Cup-related projects in Qatar, according to activists, have perished.
Neville had previously stirred quite a storm when he agreed to work for BeIN Sports, a network owned by the government of Qatar. In spite of his criticism of the nation’s treatment of migrant workers in the documentary Countdown to Qatar, which aired before to the competition, this was the case.
Neville’s earnings from his contract with BeIN are unknown, although sources predicted they may be in the six figures.
‘Gary Neville, a paid spokesman for Qatar, used his ITV punditry position to make a party political speech uncontested and draw disrespectful analogies between Qatar and Britain on workers’ rights,’ said Nick Timothy, Theresa May’s former chief of staff.
Although the hypocrisy is not shocking, ITV’s inability to prevent this is reprehensible.
“Triggering all the right folks,” Neville said in response.
But he was made to flinch in November when he appeared on Have I Got New For You and was questioned about his choice to go to the World Cup.
When the subject of his receiving money from a Qatari broadcaster came up, Neville, who was hosting the news program for the first time, was forced to defend his “reputation.”
You are aware of David Beckham, right? Is he really leaving? How much money does he make? Paul Merton, a panelist, questioned Neville
The apologetic response from Neville was, “I don’t know.” Much more than I!
Neville turned to Ian Hislop, a seasoned panelist on the program, and inquired as to whether “it’s coming home?” in an effort to try and regain control of the news agenda being discussed on the show.
The curt reply asked, “What, your reputation?”
Private Eye editor Hislop felt that the other panelists had been “very gentle” with Neville, but he went after the former footballer with a ruthless approach in an effort to find out why exactly he had accepted Qatari money.
“You’re commenting there, which is the proverbial elephant in the room.” What’s the argument? Hislop enquired.
Yep, I’m making a statement, Neville said.
You do have a choice, however, don’t you? My stance has always been that you either draw attention to the problems and difficulties in these nations and talk about them, or you essentially say nothing, remain at home, and refuse to go. And I believe we should confront them.
Hislop, who was keen to elicit a strong defense for his work with beIN Sports, just did not buy that defense.
The alternative is to remain at home and draw attention to the injustices. You are not required to accept the Qataris’ cash. It’s just not a very effective defense.
The live crowd cheered as Neville was rendered almost speechless.
He said, “That’s,” before he stopped.
Neville’s attendance on the program was so important because of the World Cup-related themes that were covered, such as James Cleverly, the UK foreign minister, telling LGBTQ+ people in Qatar to “flex and compromise.”
Richard Madeley stated, unconcerned that Neville was just a few feet to his right, “It’s ridiculous, it’s all about money, and you’ve got major celebs coming over there for large checks.” Considering all the remarks Robbie Williams has made in the past against homosexual rights, I must admit that I am really astonished to see somebody like Robbie [Williams] performing.
“It’s extraordinary that he’s going to sing there.” What has happened to people is unknown to me. The Black Eyed Peas are leaving, aren’t they? It’s not just him.
He shared the stage with Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer in September at the party’s annual convention. He urged the attendees to support Keir fully at this point. He acknowledged that he joined the party in January but said he would not run for Labour in the next election.
Gary Neville was giving his own personal opinions during a live broadcast regarding the treatment of employees in Qatar, according to an ITV representative.
His opinions are his own, and ITV has not supported them.
The former Manchester United defender used his ITV commentary position to criticize Boris Johnson’s “weak” leadership at the European Championships the previous year.
After the Three Lions defeated Denmark 2-1 at Wembley, he criticized the then-Prime Minister in a scathing contrast.
He addressed the 25,8 million viewers in the stadium after the final, saying: “The standards of leaders in this country in the last couple of years have been poor.”
“Looking at that man there, he exemplifies everything a leader ought to be: devout, modest, honest, and sincere.” Excellent Gareth Southgate.
Some, however, questioned the outburst. Politics and sport should never be mixed, according to Tory MP Michael Fabricant in an interview with MailOnline.
Before Labour was humiliated in the polls in December 2019, he urged his Twitter followers to support the party.
And in December 2020, he attacked Sir Keir Starmer, Mr. Corbyn’s successor, over Covid restrictions.
Sir Keir was accused of “sitting in the stands” by him for voting against important coronavirus lockdown measures.
That did not stop him joining the part in January 2022, and appearing on stage with Sir Keir at its annual conference later in the year.
After declaring Conservatives “a cancer to the UK” less than a month later, he stirred up controversy once again.
Many of the 5.4 million people who follow him on Twitter were horrified by the slur made by the multi-millionaire Labour supporter on social media.
By making a remark on a post by Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg supporting Boris Johnson’s bid to return to Downing Street in October, he started the argument.
No of how you feel about this, publican Adam Brooks, a panelist on GB News, said: “Bad choice of term. Not good.
For those who have lost loved ones, David Reed wrote, “Retract this please. Don’t equate this to cancer.”
Businessman Paul Tavares reacted angrily, saying: “How can you draw such a parallel in the service of making political points. As someone who has lost numerous close family members to the scourge of cancer. You’re very rude!
Neville said in July that he and co-pundit Jamie Carragher often got into trouble with Ofcom and TV executives for making political commentary and making fun of the Tories.
He said that comments he made on Partygate during a game in February, in which he claimed that the management and players of Crystal Palace and Brighton understood the distinction between a Friday night of fun and business, incensed Sky officials.
We got a great b******ing for it, Neville remarked.
Every week, we get roughly 1,000 complaints from Ofcom. If we bring up politics, someone from Sky’s management usually calls.”
Neville addressed attendees at the Labour conference held in Liverpool last month about the need for equal pay for men and women participating in sport. But women are subject to severe limitations in Qatar.
Defending himself as a “capitalist” and “entrepreneurial businessman who loves to make a profit,” Neville rejected claims that he was a “awake Leftie.”
After the 2008 financial crisis, he began investing in real estate, and his commercial ventures have included hotels, restaurants, movie production, and eco-friendly initiatives.
His financial holdings, according to reports from the previous year, amounted to £70 million. According to Companies House records, he has been associated with 60 different companies.
The co-owner of Salford City FC is “now working on St Michael’s, a £200 million development project in Manchester city center,” according to his LinkedIn page.
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