I’m the new Jesus, Katie Hopkins tells church conference
The controversial commentator Katie Hopkins has told a church conference that she is the new Jesus, giving voice to the voiceless and “leading the way” against the intolerance of the liberal left. Before an audience including bishops and vicars, the former Sun columnist and reality TV star, who in the past has has described refugees and migrants as “cockroaches” and those using food banks as “the new fatcats”, appeared unrepentant about her strong views.
“I have never apologised for anything I’ve said. I find it very disappointing when people apologise. You should have the positive moral attitude to stand by what you say,” Hopkins told the Church and the Media conference in London on Tuesday.
The gathering – largely made up of clergy, Church of England officials, and workers and volunteers in Christian charities and campaigning organisations – heard that she was hoping to produce a Christmas book called The Bible According to Katie Hopkins. “I’m Jesus of the outspoken. Jesus had his followers; I have 600,000 followers on Twitter. It’s about leading the way – I am the new Jesus.”
Hopkins said her provocative views were merely opinions held by many people who dare not articulate them aloud. Describing herself as “brave”, she added: “I’m pushing back the walls closing in on freedom of speech.” She said she had no regrets about describing refugees as “cockroaches”, saying it was meant to refer to endurance and survival instincts.
In terms of the European response to the refugee crisis, Hopkins said: “All we’ve done is encourage more people to come. Personally I wouldn’t have allowed a single boat to leave. I’m disgusted at the way the EU has reacted to this crisis. I don’t see how I’ve incited hatred. I point out solutions – send gunboats to the Med, blow up the boats, keep people on shore, look after people in situ.”
Hopkins said she was a positive role model for young women. “Lots of young girls, women, ladies find it reaffirming that there’s someone with a strong view. But I accept there’s another 50% who hate my guts.”
She declined to reveal how much she had earned from her controversial views, only saying that she was “very glad to make a profit” and “I don’t believe in equal treatment”. She added: “I don’t believe in food banks at all … I don’t believe we are all equal. It’s fundamentally stupid if you can’t afford to feed your family but you have an iPhone 6. All the kids on free school meals have iPhones.”
Hopkins left the Sun last month, and has been signed as a columnist by Mail Online.
