THE former police inspector behind One Britain One Nation (OBON) Day has said prominent critics of the anthem sung in schools should reflect “with shame” on their stance.

Kash Singh was speaking at Carlton Bolling College in West Yorkshire, where he watched as a group of Year 7 students, limited due to Covid restrictions, sang the OBON song in the school hall.

READ MORE: One Britain One Nation founder: 'Shame' on those who criticise our song

The song, which begins “We are Britain and we have one dream, to unite all people in one great team” and ends with the repeating lines "strong Britain great nation" has attracted widespread criticism and ridicule after the Department for Education (DfE) supported schools "across the UK" marking OBON Day.

Some on social media likened the song to something children might experience in North Korea, and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she first assumed the UK Government’s backing for the idea was a “spoof”.

The DfE said it was encouraging schools "across the UK" to celebrate OBON Day on Friday, so “children can learn about our shared values of kindness, pride and respect”.