Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes slammed after extraordinary Meghan Markle spray

Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes has faced backlash after her ugly on-air rant where she targeted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes has been slammed online for describing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “awful, revolting, revolting people” in an extraordinary spray on the eve of the Queen’s funeral.

The NSW Senator’s shocking verbal outburst has sparked debate and division online with some social media users complaining it was over the line.

“Has Hollie Hughes Met Meghan Markle, I don’t think so. Harry and Megan love each other, leave them alone,’’ said Jeanne Hitchock.

“Shame on her and shame on anyone who thinks this is appropriate behaviour for an Australian politician,’’ said Kate Lee.

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Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes described Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “awful, revolting, revolting people”. Picture: Sky News

“Never heard of Hollie Hughes till today and already know she is a stain on Australian politics. What a horrid human to focus her hate on someone she’s never met when the Queen is being remembered,’’ said another Twitter user.

Annie Rob said that Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson should call out the behaviour.

“Waiting for you to call out the appalling commentary of your colleague Hollie Hughes,’’ she said. “You were quick to join in on the ‘mean girl’ commentary when you saw political gain, let’s see if you choose to condemn actual ‘mean girl’ behaviour or will your silence condone it.”

Even though Harry has said publicly that Meghan Markle's mental health is impacted by the constant media negativity, he fears for her life & it brings back painful memories of his mother's death, Australian Senator Hollie Hughes piles on with more hatred. #auspolpic.twitter.com/8bGtD5y4fC

— David Marler (@Qldaah) September 19, 2022

Hollie Hughes is a very strange woman. She speaks as if she has intimate knowledge of Megan Markel even though she hasn’t met her. These sort of women who bear false witness about other women do so much damage. And they don’t care.

— Elaine McKay (@ElaineM11584892) September 19, 2022

“Hollie Hughes is a very strange woman. She speaks as if she has intimate knowledge of Meghan Markle even though she hasn’t met her. These sort of women who bear false witness about other women do so much damage. And they don’t care,’’ said Elaine McKay.

“Even though Harry has said publicly that Meghan Markle’s mental health is impacted by the constant media negativity, he fears for her life and it brings back painful memories of his mother’s death, Australian Senator Hollie Hughes piles on with more hatred,’’ said another Twitter user.

“Hollie Hughes is a miserable person. Truly awful,’’ another Twitter user said.

However, there was also some support from Meghan Markle’s online critics’ who praised her and suggested she should replace Peter Dutton as opposition leader.

Senator Hollie Hughes, who is not believed to have ever met the couple, launched the blistering attack on Sky News as Prince Harry prepares to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

Never heard of Hollie Hughes till today and already know she is a stain on Australian politics. What a horrid human to focus her hate on someone she’s never met when the queen is being remembered. How embarrassing for us Aussies and the people she claims to represent.

— Aussie_Chick (@AussieChick14) September 19, 2022

“I think she’s had a terrible influence over him,” Senator Hughes said. “She’s just a horrible human. They’re awful, revolting, revolting people.”

No stranger to controversy, Senator Hughes previously hit the headlines after she was subjected to a vile slur in parliament when Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe yelled at her across the chamber, “at least I keep my legs shut”.

Ms Thorpe later apologised and retracted the remark after widespread backlash.

Senator Hughes said she supported moves to “snub” Prince Harry by rescinding his invitation to attend some events to mark his grandmother’s death.

Sky News host Chris Smith then agreed, suggesting that “you make your bed, you lie in it”.

Senator Hughes then speculated that she hoped that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would get divorced.

Senator Hughes supported moves to “snub” Prince Harry by rescinding his invitation to attend some events to mark his grandmother’s death. Picture: Phil Noble – WPA Pool/Getty Images

“I am sick of both of them,’’ she said. “I sort of long for the day where I hope Harry rolls over one day, takes one look and thinks, ‘What have I done?’ and comes to his senses and moves back across the pond.

“I think he’s made an awful error. And I think she’s well, I think she’s had a terrible influence over him. She’s a horrible human.

“It’s absolutely disgraceful. And I don’t know what’s happening with the book that he’s done. Her podcasts apparently they’re going through them now trying to take out parts where she said not particularly kind things about the Queen.

“They’re awful, revolting, revolting people and I absolutely think they shouldn’t be invited to this and I hope they’re not invited to a lot of other things.

Earlier this year, Senator Hughes became embroiled in an online argument with Rachelle Miller, the ex-lover of former Liberal frontbencher Alan Tudge.

“Wow – you have some serious issues! Honey, lots of therapy. Stop making unfounded accusations then hiding behind false legal premises,’’ Senator Hughes said.

Here is #LNP senator Hollie Hughes spewing disgusting vitriol about people she has never met on a subject she knows absolutely nothing about.
Shame on her and shame on anyone who thinks this is appropriate behaviour for an Australian politician. #auspolhttps://t.co/JLf3KCyHPX

— Kate Lee (@Kate75314) September 19, 2022

The context of Senator Hughes outburst was Ms Miller making a joke on Twitter that she was trying to work out who Senator Hughes reminded her of and finally realised who it was.

She said it was Hyacinth Bucket in the comedy Keeping Up Appearances.

In the TV series, the character is a woman who aspires to climb the social ladder and impress rich and successful people.

Previously, she also said she stood by her friend “Tudgey” who denies mistreating his former staffer during her employment.

“What does (Ms Miller) want us to do? What does she want us to do?,” Senator Hughes said.

“There are a series of steps we are taking to provide a HR complaints mechanism for staff.

“But Minister Tudge has denied this version of events. So again, we are in ‘he said, she said.’”

Since the Twitter exchange, Ms Miller has settled her compensation claim on a “no admissions” basis with the Department of Finance for $650,000.

News.com.au has contacted Senator Hughes for comment.

Originally published as Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes slammed after extraordinary Meghan Markle spray