Katie Hopkins deported from Australia over controversial quarantine behaviour
British right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins will be deported from Australia for bragging about her plans to disobey hotel quarantine measures.
On Friday, she joked about opening the door “naked with no face mask” to workers delivering her meals in an Instagram Live recorded from her Sydney hotel room. The post has since been deleted.
Ms Hopkins travelled to the country to star in the reality show Big Brother Australia. Visitors from abroad need to observe self-isolation in government-mandated hotels for 14 days and respect social distancing and mask-wearing rules.
She also criticised Australia’s response to Covid-19, describing lockdowns are “the greatest hoax in human history”. Her comments sparked condemnation as Sydney and Melbourne have recently reimposed city-wide lockdowns over concerns of new outbreaks.
The Australian government confirmed Ms Hopkins’ visa has been cancelled. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews described her behaviour as “appalling” and “unacceptable”. She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation “we will be getting her out of the country as soon as we can possible arrange that.”
Seven Network and production company Endemol Shine Australia behind the ‘Big Brother VIP’ confirmed she will no longer be appearing on the programme.
The commentator said on Sunday she was “joking” in the video but has not yet commented on her deportation.
Ms Hopkins has often been at the centre of controversy for mocking coronavirus rules on social media and for her racist remarks. She was banned from Twitter last year for breaching the platform’s hateful conduct policy.