Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that the cross of St George "shouldn't be messed with" in a row about the new England kit

Sunak said: "When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them because they're a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also hit out at the kit and says that the flag is a "unifier" that "doesn't need to be changed".

He told The Sun newspaper: "We just need to be proud of it. So I think they should just reconsider this and change it back."

Nike has said that the shirt pays homage to the training kit worn by England's World Cup winners in 1966.

A spokesperson for the sportswear giant said: "The England 2024 Home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic."

Three Lions legends have also hit out at the change with former goalkeeper Peter Shilton declaring that he was "totally against" the shirt.

Shilton, who won a record 125 caps for the national team, told GB News: "I am totally against it, which I don't think is a surprise. I mean I am a traditionalist, really.

"I think we have seen a lot of design changes on shirts and that's to get the fans to buy the new shirt every time it changes.

"But now they are messing with the colours on a national flag and you know, where would it stop once it starts?

"Is the next shirt going to have more changes in the colour? So I am against it, I think it is wrong.

"It is only a small change, but I think it could be the start of more changes."