Jamie Carragher brands Brexit a 'big mistake', with Liverpool legend airing views on immigration and Britain's 'anger' after Gary Neville's 'middle-aged white men' tirade sparked fury

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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the country's political situation and given his views on several key topics of contention. 

Since retiring in 2013, Carragher, 47, has become a major pundit and voice around English and European football.

But on Friday, he made a rare foray into politics, which comes just weeks after his colleague Gary Neville caused controversy with a rant about 'middle-aged white men' and the 'negative' use of the British flag. 

'Gary is more politically activated than probably I am,' Carragher told LBC when asked about a major study that found that eight in ten Brits felt the nation is divided. 'But I don't think there's any doubt that it does feel (divided), and I don't know if it goes back to Brexit.

'Obviously the situation now and it's not just about the Labour government. It probably goes back to the Conservative government about people coming in on boats and things like that. 

'It just feels like there is a lot of anger in the country and it does feel divisive. I don't remember it ever being like this.'

Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the country's political situation and slammed Brexit

Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016 (pictured - Boris Johnson, who campaigned for Vote Leave)

Carragher was then questioned whether that division came because people are 'angry' with what's going on in the UK right now, and he again reflected on the Brexit vote in 2016 as a key turning point for the mood in the country.

'Yeah and that's (the anger) understandable but I don't think that's to do with whether it is Labour or Conservative, where it's like this is Keir Starmer's fault. 

'Or this was you know... this has been going on a while and I just think what happened around Brexit and that type of thing. 

'That was the one time when I did probably get fully involved in politics and, yeah, I thought that was a big mistake, Brexit, and that viewpoint has probably been proven correct.'

Host Tom Swarbrick then quipped: 'Gary can deal with the boats and you can deal with Brexit and we might be onto something.'

Carragher added with a smile: 'Then we'll be alright.'

Earlier in his appearance on the show, Carragher also defended the much-maligned Labour government and was supportive of their attempts to form closer ties with the EU.

'I will be supportive of anybody who leads the Labour Party because where I come from we vote Labour and that will always be the case,' the former defender said.

Carragher also threw his backing behind the Labour party despite recent heavy criticism 

His comments come weeks after Gary Neville came under fire for his own political rant 

'So if it's Keir Starmer. I will vote for Keir Starmer. If it's Andy Burnham, I'll vote for Andy Burnham. If its Wes Streeting, I'll vote for him or whoever it could be in the future.

'I do like the fact that the Labour government are trying to (work with Europe). Where they can push us closer to the EU and have ties with the EU, whether, you know, for employment and young people going abroad to work and vice versa. I do think that is a better version of that.'

Last month Neville was heavily criticised when he posted a video to social media in response to individuals from communities hanging Union Jack and St George's cross flags on lampposts and outside properties in what is supposed to be a show of patriotism and pride.

'I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we're all being turned on each other,' Neville had said. 

'And the division that's being created is absolutely disgusting - mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they're doing.' 

Neville came under fire for his comments, with the former England star dubbed a 'traitor' by some, while England fans also directed x-rated chants towards him during their match in Latvia a few days later.

At Salford City's clash against Oldham shortly after, Neville was targeted further by far-right protests.

Neville is a co-owner of the Ammies and midway through the first half, one member of the crowd charged on to the pitch and planted a St George's flag in the centre circle, although he was quickly apprehended by stewards.

Another fan also attempted to join him, but he was halted shortly after jumping over the barriers. 

Both were wearing white tops which read 'Gary Neville is a traitor', and they were joined by a third fan but it was unclear whether he made it onto the pitch. 

It later emerged that Britain First, a far-right group, had claimed responsibility for the stunt. They said they had 'teamed up with local Salford patriots' to protest against the former England international's 'treachery'. 

Chants from supporters of 'Gary Neville is a w****r' could also be heard at Moor Lane, as the game was briefly delayed.  The three men were later arrested. 

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