Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Katie Hopkins 'tear gassed' while filming at Calais Jungle refugee camp

Heather Saul
Friday 09 September 2016 08:42 EDT
Comments
Katie Hopkins visits Calais Jungle

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Katie Hopkins claims she was tear-gassed during her visit to the Calais Jungle refugee camp.

A year after comparing refugees to cockroaches and suggesting the use of gunships to stop refugees reaching Europe’s shores after thousands died trying to cross the Med, the controversial columnist visited the camp where at least 9,000 adults and children are now living in dire conditions.

Dozens more are arriving each day and aid workers are struggling to provide the most basic living essentials. The French interior minister has announced plans to completely dismantle the camp within months amid growing concerns over conditions and security.

In an article for the Mail Online, Hopkins describes how she came to the Jungle “looking for good”, but claims she was tear-gassed and her photographer was “beaten and robbed" by a "mob”.

Footage shows the LBC presenter running towards a fence where she says police were attempting to stop refugees trying to enter the UK by jumping on trucks.

“There is no option to tough out tear gas," she said after. “I just tried and I failed miserably. I think sometimes that I'm tougher than I am. It really knocks you back."

Her presence at the Jungle has sparked anger in light of her unsympathetic stance on the escalating refugee crisis, with Twitter user Lyndsey Barker writing: “Just when the souls in the Calais camp thought they'd hit rock bottom, Katie Hopkins arrives.”

Hopkins was assisted by charity Care4Calais, while other refugees helped her photographer retrieve stuff she claims he had stolen, according to LBC.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in