Countdown host Rachel Riley has deleted a message on X which caused a storm - and said ‘I’m sorry’. The popular presenter had been accused of perpetuating Islamophobia with a tweet on the Sydney stabbings.
Former BBC Strictly Come Dancing star had posted a cryptic message on the attacks and in a new note said: “Just to clarify, my intention with this tweet was not to say this attack was caused by any ideation or to link it to Islamic extremism.
“At the time we did not know who the attacker was, and as such I made no reference. My aim was to highlight the weekly calls for ‘intifada’ being tolerated in London and around the world, which in actuality means violence on our streets.
“For 6 months now, I have avoided taking the tube, or going with my kids to anywhere near the marches each Saturday, and each week we see the extremist chants on proud display with little outcry. Sadly, the type of attack seen in Sydney yesterday is exactly the kind of violence the previous intifada involved and I hope to avoid in future, but in my opinion ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.
“Attacks on Jews have recently become repackaged as ‘resistance’ in some circles, and we should in one voice condemn all acts of violence, whoever the perpetrators and whoever the victims. I am sorry if this message was misunderstood, that was not my intention.”
After the original post on X Professor Ahmed Hankir said: “I cannot, in good conscience, remain silent. We must not remain silent. When we see such bigotry, Islamophobia, racism & hatred we must call it out. Rachel Riley must be held accountable for these vile & divisive comments.”
Ms Riley had said: “For six months now people have been out on our streets calling for ‘Intifada revolution’. If you want to see what ‘Globalise the Intifada’ looks like read the Sydney Mail.” Ms Riley later added to her messages after deleting the original tweet: “I’ve thought about this all day and deleted the original tweet, so just one more post on the matter.
“I’m sorry to those I offended. My post was ambiguous and although it was genuinely designed to call out calls for violence, it wasn’t the right place or time which made it easier to misinterpret, and I apologise.
“I know nuance isn’t popular online, and even though I’m certain many of the people calling this out are the same people who’ve been trying to shut me up or have me fired for the last 6 years, who would happily join in the calls for violence against their enemies, I’m also sure there are those who don’t fall into that camp, and it is to them I write this now.
“I too have been subject to assault in recent months and it was a Muslim woman and her husband who came to see if I was ok afterwards. I’m grateful to them and wish to undo any offence caused to the community.”
