Peter Ford deletes social media posts calling Lidia Thorpe a ‘skank’

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has doubled down on his criticism of Lidia Thorpe, after labelling the Senator with a rude term.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has doubled down on his criticism of Lidia Thorpe, after labelling the Indigenous Senator a “skank” not once, but twice following her interruption at a reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla on Monday.

Senator Thorpe – a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman – made international headlines over her interjection at Parliament House in Canberra, where she yelled “f**k the colony” and “you are not my king” at the visiting monarch.

The confrontation has lead to a barrage of public criticism of the Victorian Independent, and calls from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for her to “resign” if she “doesn’t believe in the system”.

Veteran TV and radio personality Ford, who regularly appears on Channel 7’s breakfast shows, was among those to join the pile on, writing of Senator Thorpe in a since-deleted post on X: “She’s such a skank.”

It was far from a slip of the tongue. In a second post that he’s also removed from the platform, Ford repeated it: “Nice thoughts, but no she’s still a skank.”

News.com.au has contacted Ford and Channel 7 for comment.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford doubled down on his criticism of Lidia Thorpe, calling the Indigenous Senator a ‘skank’ not once, but twice. Picture: 7

Senator Thorpe made headlines on Monday for interrupting a reception at Parliament House for King Charles. Picture: Lukas Coch-Pool/Getty Images

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has doubled down on his criticism of Lidia Thorpe, after labelling the Indigenous Senator a 'skank' not once, but twice following her interruption at a reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla on Monday. Picture: X

When he was called out by fellow Australian journalist Lavendar Baj for his initial tweet – in which Baj said it was ironic Ford had called Senator Thorpe a “skank” given he was “mad about Lidia not showing respect” – he questioned why “she deserves any”.

Responding to a different X user, who accused Ford of being misogynistic in his description of Senator Thorpe, he wrote: “You may not like the term – and think it (sic) unfair – but it’s not misogynistic.”

He also questioned whether there was “a sanction or penalty” that could be “imposed” on the “revolting” politician.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has doubled down on his criticism of Lidia Thorpe, after labelling the Indigenous Senator a 'skank' not once, but twice following her interruption at a reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla on Monday. Picture: X

On Tuesday morning, Ford took to X again in an attempt to justify his use of the term – though an apology was not forthcoming.

“So yesterday in commentary about Lidia Thorpe I used a word in this space that some people (who I trust not ‘outraged’ people on Twitter) thought was unfair,” he wrote.

“Although it’s a word you’d hear on Kath and Kim I have deleted it. I wanted to make a point not cause offence. Cheers.”

In the aftermath of Senator Thorpe’s actions on Monday, Ford was swift to label her as a “shocker”.

“So everyone must respect the Welcome To Country Ceremonies. But Lydia – who signed oath to the Crown – doesn’t have to respect the reigning Monarch when choosing to be in his presence. What a shocker she is!” he said.

Queen Camilla and King Charles during Senator Thorpe’s interruption. Picture: NCA NewsWire

During a clash with British broadcaster Kay Burley on Tuesday morning, Senator Thorpe accused white journalists of portraying her as “an angry black woman”.

“We are the real sovereigns in this country, the King is not our sovereign,” she told the Sky TV reporter.

“The King lives in your country. He’s from your country. He can’t be our king. And it’s only when other people have their children removed, when their families are incarcerated, when you have your land taken from you, that you will understand what I’m talking about.”

Senator Thorpe then said she was sick and tired of being stereotyped by the media.

“You know, it’s all about portraying me as an angry black woman?” she said.

“Well, yeah, I’m angry. I’m angry because I see too many of our people dying, too many people incarcerated. We don’t have any land. Your kings and his previous kings and queens stole that from us and we want it back.”

Originally published as Peter Ford deletes social media posts calling Lidia Thorpe a ‘skank’