No. 10 responds to Gary Neville’s criticism that PM has ‘promoted racism’

The ex-footballer accused the Prime Minister of hypocrisy on Monday.

Downing Street has refuted suggestions from Gary Neville that the Prime Minister had "promoted racism" through his policy and actions. After all missing penalties in the shootout defeat to Italy, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka received racist abuse on their social media accounts. This has been condemned by the Prime Minister. Appearing on Sky News, the Manchester United legend criticised Johnson for his approach to the England team taking the knee before games and his refusal to condemn those who boo the act, accusing the PM of hypocrisy. In response to Neville's words, the official spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: "I totally reject that claim. "The prime minister set out this morning his response to some of the awful comments we've seen. He said this England team deserve to be lauded as heroes not racially abused on social media, those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves. Addressing Neville's claim that the Prime Minister suggested it was fine to boo players taking the knee, he added: "It’s not accurate. The PM was clear that he wanted to see everyone getting behind the team to cheer them on. He made that clear on the 11th, before England’s first game."