I’m A Celebrity’s Josie Gibson in row over unearthed tweets about Tommy Robinson
CAMP favourite Josie Gibson faces an upset on the outside after her rising profile on I’m A Celebrity has seen fans resurrect a historic online row.
Back in 2015 the This Morning presenter was slammed for appearing to back comments made by the former EDL leader Tommy Robinson when she shared a video of him addressing the Oxford Union.
In the old tweets, Josie wrote: “Before you’re quick to shout ‘racist’ watch this video”.
The hour-long video showed the former far-right boss’s controversial appearance at the union in 2014 which sparked protests.
At the time Josie stood her ground when some people on Twitter questioned her and said she agreed with points in the video around extremists.
Now trolls have revisited the old online exchange whilst her star has risen in the ITV jungle camp.
A source close to Josie, 38, said: “The historic tweets were posted a very long time ago by Josie.
“In a statement at the time, Josie vehemently rejected accusations that these social media posts had any racist intent.
“Josie does not condone intolerance, violence or racism of any kind.”
Back in 2015, Josie responded to one user who accused her of “admiring a racist”, writing: “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.”
Following an outcry, she shared a full statement, which read: “The 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.
“There are hard hitting facts in the Tommy Robinson video so whether you want to pull the race card or actually watch the video is up to you but I agree with everything that is being said.
“I am aware I have a following but at the same time I am glad I am not too scared to have a voice.
“These are my views and opinions and I wholeheartedly stand by them.”
Josie is currently favourite to be crowned Queen of the Jungle, with odds of 15/8 at Ladbrokes.