This Morning’s Josie Gibson has been called out over an unearthed social media row where she appeared to support comments made by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
This Morning presenter Josie Gibson has found herself under fire after a controversial Twitter post, originally shared in 2015, was unearthed appearing to show her backing far-right activist, Tommy Robinson.
At the time, Josie, 39, was heavily criticised and accused of being “racist” after retweeting a video showing the former English Defence League (EDL) leader addressing the Oxford Union.
The hour-long clip shows Robinson’s full address at the controversial appearance in 2014 which sparked protests.
Sharing the clip, Josie wrote in the caption: “Before you’re quick to shout ‘racist’ watch this video.”
Back then, Josie defended herself after she was accused by a user of “admiring a racist”. She hit back: “I admire everything that is being said in the video. Now have you got any ideas to a resolution? Anything?”
She continued: “The video is highlighting extremists, and even coming up with a potential solution. Which I agree with. I strongly believe in everything that was said in this video. I would not of posted it out otherwise. Please watch.”
The historic exchange has been dug up again after Josie appeared visibly emotional on This Morning this week while discussing the far-right riots which have swept the country.
One user shared a screenshot of Josie’s old tweet, writing: “Ironic Josie Gibson sat there tutting and shaking her head about the far right when this was her just a few years ago.”
Following the reaction to her post in 2015, Josie shared a full statement rejecting that her comments had any racist intent.
It read: “The (Tommy Robinson) video highlights the problem we have with Islamic extremists and the way in which they have been protected. God forbid if you speak out about these extremists you are instantly labelled a racist… which is weird as being an Islamic extremist is not even a race.
“I am a normal person and I obviously saw the disgusting brutality of the Lee Rigby Massacre, now the attacks in Paris and many more events.
“There is no denying there is a problem and it is frightening, but people are even more scared to speak up in case like I have now been labelled a racist for a video which is against extremists.
“I feel for the Muslim community as there are the select few that put Muslims and Islamic extremist in the same box, this is like saying all Catholics are IRA. It’s ridiculous…this is not the case, these extremists have taken the Quran and made it their own.
“What the video is saying is that all communities, including the Muslim community, should unite and show these extremists that there is no place for them in our society and we will not tolerate hate, terrorism or any of your deluded mindset.
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Source: USA Today
