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Katie Hopkins has insisted she's never "broken quarantine," after Big Brother Australia decided to dump her from the show's 2021 line-up.
Sparking an outcry in Australia, the far-right commentator, 46, shared a video on Instagram in which she claimed she refused to adhere to mask-wearing rules during her quarantine.
In the video, which Katie deleted before re-uploading on Sunday, she described the quarantine rules in place in a Sydney hotel, where she was instructed to wear a mask when collecting her meals from staff.
Katie claimed she declined to wear a mask and instead jumped out of her room naked to receive her meals – a statement she now says was intended as a joke.
Re-sharing the clip, Katie wrote: "THAT Katie's Arms WARNING: EXTREME HUMOUR. I have never broken quarantine."
The outspoken TV personality went on to send her thoughts to the people of Australia, having angered the nation with her apparent disregard for quarantine restrictions.
She said: "My whole heart goes out to Australians and this brilliant country known for sense of humour.
"Families MUST be reunited, Auzzies need the dignity of work and lockdown is the Greatest Hoax in Human History. Do not give up my darlings. Bring Australians home."
Katie travelled Down Under to appear on Big Brother, but Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia confirmed she would no longer be taking part in the show following the controversy.
A statement from the network read: "Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia confirm that Katie Hopkins is not part of Big Brother VIP.
"Seven and Endemol Shine strongly condemn her irresponsible and reckless comments in hotel quarantine."
The country's Home Affairs Minister, Karen Andrews, ordered a review on Saturday, hoping to investigate whether Katie had breached her visa conditions in apparently flouting the mask-wearing rules.
Andrews said: "It is despicable that anyone would behave in such a way that puts our health officials and community at risk.
"I have directed Australian Border Force to immediately consider the facts of this matter and urgently review whether this individual is complying with the requirements of her visa."
In the original video, Katie said: "I've been told when they bring three meals a day to the door… I have to wait 30 seconds before opening the door.
"And then I can open the door but only with a face mask."
The journalist then claimed she planned to wait by the door to "frighten the s**t out of them [the workers] and do it naked with no face mask".
- Big Brother
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