THIS IS OUR FLAG

How dare a bunch of violent yobs carry our flag and claim to be patriots. They bring us nothing but shame. What a contrast to our Olympians. Brilliant dedicated... from every background... they bring us nothing but pride. We are Keely, Jess and Mo...

IN towns and cities across the country can be found the smouldering scars of more than a week of violence and disorder.

Far-right hooligans have terrorised communities, whipped up hatred where there was harmony and destroyed buildings, shops and libraries.

And they have claimed to do so in the name of patriotism.

The real patriots, the people who truly represent this country, can be found at the Paris Olympics.

Whereas the thugs seek only to divide people, the Team GB athletes seek only to bring them together.

Our Olympic heroes and heroines are proud to come from diverse backgrounds, they are proud to be standard bearers for inclusivity and they are proud to fly the flag for Britain.

They are not just ambassadors for their sport but ambassadors for their country.

This summer, the focus should have been solely on celebrating their achievements.

PRIDE

We should be taking pride every time the national anthem is played and Union Flag is hoisted at a medal giving ceremony.

How must they be feeling as they witness the events which have taken place back home?

While they seek to show Britain at its best, a thuggish few have been intent on showing this country at its worst.

The Britain our athletes are so proud to represent has been dishonoured by a mindless minority who also have the temerity to drape themselves in the Union. Flag. As the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, said yesterday: "They defile the flag they wrap themselves in."