John Terry Ignites Fury: Former England Captain Deletes Instagram Applause for Burqa Ban and English-Only Signs

 Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry has thrust himself into the centre of a fierce political row after appearing to endorse a controversial call for a nationwide ban on the burqa in Britain.

The 45-year-old football legend, who remains a part-time academy mentor at Chelsea, responded to an Instagram post by Rupert Lowe – the independent MP and founder of the newly registered right-wing party Restore Britain – with three clapping-hand emojis and a St George’s Cross flag.

Lowe’s original post, shared on March 10, featured an image of a London Underground station displaying Bengali signage. Accompanying text read: “This picture was taken in London. Restore Britain would ban the burqa, and Restore Britain would ensure that all London stations use English, and English only. Enough is enough. Vote Restore Britain to get our capital city back.”

The burqa, a full-body covering worn by some Muslim women that typically leaves only a mesh screen for the eyes, has been banned in public in several European countries including France on grounds of secularism and security. Lowe’s party, launched earlier this year after he quit Reform UK, positions the policy as part of a broader push to “get our country back”.

Terry’s emoji response quickly drew widespread attention and backlash on social media. Reports indicate the former defender later deleted the comment. Lowe leapt to Terry’s defence on Sunday morning, posting: “I see that England/Chelsea legend John Terry is taking some flak for applauding Restore Britain’s policy of banning the burqa and ensuring that all London stations use English, and English only.

“This is the position the vast majority of the British people support. There is now a political party that will say exactly what people think and fight to make it happen. Restore Britain.

“If we get called names? WHO CARES… More people need to show some courage and stand up for what the majority thinks. Restore Britain is doing exactly that. We are going to get our country back.”

Lowe, 68, the former Southampton chairman and ex-Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, was suspended from Nigel Farage’s party last year amid allegations of bullying and threatening behaviour – claims he denied as a “witch hunt”. Restore Britain does not currently hold any parliamentary seats.

The episode has split opinion online. Critics accused Terry of stoking division, while supporters praised him for backing what they see as common-sense integration measures. Several European nations have already imposed similar restrictions, though the issue remains highly divisive in the UK. A Reform MP’s previous parliamentary question on the topic even prompted Farage to describe such calls as “wrong and ugly”.

Terry, who captained England from 2006 to 2011 and won multiple Premier League titles with Chelsea, has occasionally voiced patriotic or political views in the past. Earlier this week he was photographed skiing in the French Alps while holding a St George’s flag. He has also publicly criticised the UK government’s handling of former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, describing the sanctions and treatment as “disgusting”.

Chelsea have so far declined to comment on the controversy, and Terry’s representatives have not responded to requests for clarification.

The development comes as Restore Britain seeks to capitalise on growing public frustration over immigration, signage in public spaces and cultural integration. Lowe insists his party will fight for policies that reflect what “the vast majority of the British people support”.

Whether Terry’s gesture signals deeper personal views or was simply a spontaneous reaction remains unclear – but it has undeniably amplified a debate that shows no sign of fading.