Australia orders Katie Hopkins to be deported
She was going to appear in Big Brother VIP
Katie Hopkins has been told to leave Australia after the Australian government ordered her deportation.
The former Apprentice star who is now a right-wing commentator was in the country to take part in the TV show Big Brother VIP.
She arrived in Australia last week and was immediately placed under two weeks of quarantine in a government-mandated hotel, as per the country’s pandemic regulations.
On Saturday, the 46-year-old reportedly said in a since-deleted Instagram live video that she was deliberately disobeying quarantine rules by taunting guards and opening her hotel room door without a mask.
Australian regulations dictate people in quarantine are not permitted to open their door until 30 seconds after their meals have been delivered, and must wear masks when their doors are open.
Hopkins’s comments sparked outrage as Australia battles a Covid surge which has led to its two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, being placed into lockdown.
Minister says Hopkins will be deported
Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews said on Monday that Hopkins would be deported for her “appalling” behaviour, which also led Big Brother producers to condemn her actions and confirm she would not take part in the show.
“It’s appalling that this individual behaved the way that she did and she will be leaving,” Ms Andrews told Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“We will be getting her out of the country as soon as we can arrange that.
“The fact that she was out there boasting about breaching quarantine was just appalling.
“It was a slap in the face for all those Australians who are currently in lockdown and it’s just unacceptable behaviour.”
Hopkins will not feature in Big Brother
The Seven Network – which airs Big Brother VIP in Australia – confirmed on Sunday that Hopkins would not feature in the forthcoming season.
It said in a statement: “Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia confirm that Katie Hopkins is not part of Big Brother VIP.
“Seven and Endemol Shine strongly condemn her irresponsible and reckless comments in hotel quarantine.”