Katie Hopkins’ sold-out show due to take place in Guernsey in May is continuing to spark controversy – leading to a discussion about “freedom of speech” among Sarnian politicians this week.
Deputy Jayne Ozanne’s recent exchange with Deputy Paul Montague – who has political responsibility for Beau Séjour Leisure Centre – comes months after Bailiwick Express Guernsey published a letter from a reader urging islanders to boycott Ms Hopkins’ performance.
Ms Hopkins hit back at the letter in a video posted to her social media in which she discussed her upcoming show at the Guernsey venue and noted that “we cannot get one in Jersey”.
That is the holy grail of what all of these tours have been about – getting venues to have this amazing one-line statement that says, let the public vote with their feet
katie hopkins
The controversial media personality also praised a statement from the Head of Recreation Services responsible for managing Beau Séjour, which said that “the Centre does not selectively choose which acts can and cannot hire its facilities” and that “it is for the public to vote with their feet by either booking, or not booking, tickets depending on their view on any one act”.
Ms Hopkins said: “That is the holy grail of what all of these tours have been about – getting venues to have this amazing one-line statement that says, let the public vote with their feet.
“This is the gold standard. This is what I want the Free Speech Union to send out to venues and say, this is how you respond to lunatics making defamatory statements in newspapers for clickbait; this is how you respond.
“Let the public vote with their feet. That’s all I have ever asked for.”
Ms Hopkins is widely regarded as a polarising figure, known for outspoken commentary that has often attracted criticism and provoked debate.
The synopsis for her upcoming Guernsey performance states that “Katie will bring her unapologetic humour back to the stage for a night of laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy where you will remember how it feels to belong”.