Far-right UK commentator in quarantine before Big Brother appearance

Activists and MPs have called on the government to deport controversial UK far-right commentator Katie Hopkins after she was recruited for unexpected stint on Big Brother.

UK far-right commentator Katie Hopkins is in quarantine in Sydney and is likely to be a housemate on Channel 7’s Celebrity Big Brother.

Hopkins had her Twitter account permanently suspended in June last year for violating the social media giant’s ‘hateful conduct’ policy and has drawn heavy criticism for her comments, including comparing migrants to cockroaches and stating that people with dementia should not “block” hospital beds.

The revelation she had a visa and was in Australia drew a swift response from Federal MPs Josh Burns and Andrew Giles.

Katie Hopkins. Picture: Getty

“Deeply concerning to hear reports that far-right activist Katie Hopkins, who’s been banned from Twitter for ‘hateful conduct’ has somehow come to Australia from the UK,” Giles, the Shadow Minister for Cities and Multicultural Affairs, posted on Twitter.

“How has she been permitted to travel here to spread hate – when thousands of Australians remain stranded?”

Burns, the Federal Labor Member for Macnamara in Victoria wrote: “Why on earth have you let Katie Hopkins into Australia @ScottMorrisonMP @karenandrewsmp?

“This is a woman who called Islam disgusting, migrants “cockroaches” and called for a “final solution”. How does she get a visa, let alone a spot in quarantine over Australians?”

Media commentator Mike Carlton also voiced his disgust.

“So 5th rate “celebrities” Caitlin Jenner and the odious Katie Hopkins can fly here for a shitfer-brains TV show … while Australians are banned from coming home. How f*cked is that?” Carlton tweeted.

Caitlyn Jenner is in quarantine in Sydney preparing for Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Apprentice America star and former White House assistant during the Trump presidency, Omarosa Manigault Newman is also rumoured to be heading to Australia for the VIP edition of the show.

Hopkins has been updating her followers on her thoughts on the Covid lockdown in New South Wales and Victoria via her YouTube channel.

“You will know that I have always called lockdown the greatest hoax in human history,” she said.

Last night as pressure mounted on the federal government and Channel 7 to boot Hopkins back to Britain, a Change.org petition was launched with the hashtag #SendHopkinsHome

The petition, #SendHopkinsHome: Don’t let Katie Hopkins stay in Australia, had almost 7000 signatures by 9.45pm on Saturday.

Caitlyn Jenner is in quarantine in Sydney. Picture: Getty

The petition was started by Melbourne actress Emma Powell who called out Hopkins for flouting Australian hotel quarantine rules and encouraging others to resist covid-19 safety measures by labelling lockdowns a hoax.

“If Katie Hopkins is so reluctant to follow the rules to keep our country safe, she shouldn’t be here,” Powell wrote on the petition.

“Big Brother and Channel 7 you must send her home.

“After Katie Hopkins’ long history of hate speech, it beggars belief that she even passed the character test to receive a visa.

“I don’t want her here and if you don’t want her here either, please click here to sign the petition.”

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre also joined the call to have Hopkins deported.

“We urge you @karenandrewsmp Home Affairs Minister to cancel the visa of Katie Hopkins & deport her,” the organisation tweeted.

“You must be of good character to visit Australia under the Migration Act. A person who calls migrants “cockroaches”, Islam “disgusting” & calls for a “final solution” fails this test.”

Even former Big Brother winner Reggie Sorensen turned on the show and Channel 7 for hiring Hopkins as a housemate and bringing her to Australia during the pandemic.

“As a former Big Brother Housemate who won the hearts of Australians I am lost for words to see that #antivaxer, #racist #katiehopkins is going on VIP BigBrother! I don’t know how she was let into the country or to be even going on the show! It’s disgraceful,” Sorensen wrote on Twitter.

Victoria’s minister for industry support and recovery, trade, business precincts, tourism, sport, major events and racing summed up the thoughts of many regarding the Hopkins situation.

“Yep. Piss her off. Should never have been here in the first place,” he wrote on Twitter.

Channel 7 was approached for comment. The network is yet to confirm any of the Celebrity Big Brother contestants.