Did you know? Katie Hopkins once backed the UK’s first trans MEP
Katie Hopkins at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Joshua Blanchard/Getty for Politicon)
Controversy-monger Katie Hopkins is set to cause a storm on Celebrity Big Brother – but most people are unaware that she once backed the UK’s first transgender MEP.
It may seem far-fetched now, but in 2012 Katie Hopkins was a key supporter of the ‘We Demand a Referendum’ party – headed by former UKIP MEP Nikki Sinclaire.
Hopkins – who claims Tom Daley’s coming out was “lame” and that she wants a gay son to do her hair – had close ties to the politician as she formed the party.
Ms Sinclaire was expelled from UKIP in 2010, and later made allegations of sexism against it, before later launching ‘We Demand a Referendum’. She came out as transgender in November 2013.
The Apprentice star was a headline speaker at the party’s inaugural conference, and also appeared alongside Sinclaire at a number of events.
Katie Hopkins said in 2012: “One of the reasons I’ve really wanted to become involved in the We Demand a Referendum party has been that it’s actually doing something. I think we are a party of action.
“One of the things that’s key for me in a business is being able to predict the costs of my business… Europe really takes that away from us doesn’t it? We don’t really understand the costs of Europe.”
Hopkins had even announced plans to stand for the party in the South West in 2014 – but the party did not field any candidates in the area by the time of the European elections last year.
The party fielded far less candidates than expected in the European elections across the UK, and Ms Sinclaire did not retain her seat.
Ms Sinclaire was also last year charged over allegations of misconduct and money laundering, and is due to stand trial.
