Primary school suspends Twitter account after woke complaints that Vindaloo video of children cheering on England's footballers showed 'a sea of aggressive white faces' and promoted 'mindless hooliganism'

  • Flakefleet Primary School created version of Vindaloo to support England
  • But the patriotic music video attracted criticism from some quarters
  • One social media said it looked like 'a sea of aggressive white faces'
  • The school suspended Twitter with the head teacher making a cryptic post
  • He said social media can 'make you question the direction society is heading'A primary school suspended its Twitter profile after their version of a popular football anthem made in support of Euros 2020 was attacked amid absurd claims of 'mindless hooliganism'.

    Flakefleet Primary School in Fleetwood, Lancs - whose pupils once reached the final of Britain's Got Talent - recorded and filmed their own version of Fat Les's chart hit Vindaloo.

    In keeping with the original, which starred Lily Allen's actor father Keith, the video shows crowds marching and jostling into people, itself a pastiche of The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony promo.

    But despite it being clearly good-natured fun, Twitter's woke brigade pounced on the harmless footage.

    One troll branded the innocent children 'a sea of aggressive white faces' while another called it 'disgusting behaviour' and 'mindless hooliganism'.

    It led to the school - which promotes its social media on its website -  pulling down its Twitter feed. It later returned this lunchtime.

    Head teacher Dave McPartlin, unavailable for comment to MailOnline today due to a pupils trip to Alton Towers, appeared to reference the attacks.

    He wrote online: 'There are times that social media can be amazing and make such brilliant things happen, but it can also be a dark and disturbing place that really makes you question the direction society is heading.'Flakefleet Primary School head Dave McPartlin said social media could be 'dark and disturbing'

    Flakefleet Primary School head Dave McPartlin said social media could be 'dark and disturbing'

    The youngsters having a lot of fun in the version of the popular football song's music video

    The youngsters having a lot of fun in the version of the popular football song's music video

    There were some people who did not share the excitement and slated the school movie

    There were some people who did not share the excitement and slated the school movie

    Another Twitter user described the video as depicting a 'sea of aggressive white faces'

    Another Twitter user described the video as depicting a 'sea of aggressive white faces'

    The school urged people to send in videos of them marching for the video back on June 29 to show support for the Euros.

    Contributors were urged to email them in to the project, which they had dubbed 'The Big Vindaloo'.

    Weeks earlier a different video of them showing their support over the strains of Land of Hope and Glory went viral.At the time Mr McPartlin said: 'Things have been a bit serious over the last 12 months, because of the Covid lockdowns.

    'In school, we weren't able to celebrate Christmas in the school like we usually do.

    'So this was just a chance for us to be a have a bit of fun and get everyone involved.

    The video appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning and was praised by many viewers

    The video appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning and was praised by many viewers

    It was dreamt up as a way to support the England team in Euro 2020 for all of their matches

    It was dreamt up as a way to support the England team in Euro 2020 for all of their matches

    One social media user said the video had 'disgusted and worried' them in their public post

    One social media user said the video had 'disgusted and worried' them in their public post

    Head Dave McPartlin said after the uproar 'he questioned the direction society was heading'

    Head Dave McPartlin said after the uproar 'he questioned the direction society was heading'

    The school returned to Twitter this lunchtime and admitted being 'a bit freaked out'

    The school returned to Twitter this lunchtime and admitted being 'a bit freaked out'

    'We really did have a lot of of fun making this one and were able to lend a little bit of support to the England team at the same time.'

    Their Vindaloo version had an even wider reach after it was featured on BBC Breakfast this morning.

    The condemnation from some social media users are understood to have been the reason for them taking down their Twitter presence.

    One person declared: 'The school has pulled down its Twitter account. I've left a complaint on its website.

    'It's disgusting behaviour these children are being pressed to participate in by the school. I have a 7 year old child.

    'I absolutely do not want her to be exposed to this mindless hooliganism.'

    Another exclaimed:  'Very depressing. What does it even mean? Poor kids, already brainwashed. A sea of aggressive white faces... Is that global Britain?Head teacher Dave McPartlin looked emotional after getting the golden buzzer in BGT

    Head teacher Dave McPartlin looked emotional after getting the golden buzzer in BGT

    The school's performance was hailed by BGT judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden in 2019

    The school's performance was hailed by BGT judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden in 2019

    'Just check the amazing English team and learn from it.'

    The school came to public attention back in 2019 when they flew through auditions performing 'Don't Stop Me Now' by Queen.  

    As they progressed through the different rounds Amanda Holden told them: 'You just bring so much happiness to us four, and the nation at large'.

    Simon Cowell was similarly enthusiastic and told them: 'it’s funny, it’s great, it’s optimistic - I think you have a chance of winning the whole show'.

    But they only came sixth in the final after performing Take That's Rule The World. 

    Flakefleet Primary School were unavailable for comment after being approached by MailOnline this morning. 


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