Kirstie Allsopp has been slammed by some claiming she used the sentencing of Met Police officer Wayne Couzens to promote anti-lockdown views.
In a now-deleted tweet, The Location, Location, Location presenter, 50, appears to have suggested that the lockdown periods seem to have made it easier for the disgraced cop to kidnap, rape and murder marketing executive Sarah Everard.
Couzens was yesterday (September 30), sentenced to a rare whole life sentence, meaning he may never be released from prison for his “grotesque” crimes.
While serving as a Metropolitan Police officer, the killer used his warrant card and cited coronavirus restrictions when he stopped Sarah, handcuffed her and bundled her into his car while she was walking home from a friend’s house in Clapham to her own home in Brixton on March 3.
A court heard that the vile crime was “sexual and homicidal” in nature.
Following the sentencing, TV host Jeremy Vine took to Twitter, airing his thoughts as he struggled to suggest ways for his two teenage daughters to remain safe and find faith in the police again.
However, Kirstie responded to his tweet, appearing to suggest that Sarah’s death could have been prevented, should the government have lifted restrictions.
The Hampstead born presenter typed: “No, You ensure that lockdowns are never, ever imposed again. In any other circumstance, this could not have happened.”
Since posting her controversial opinion, many have criticised Ms Allsopp, with one writing: “Your first thought is to use this murder which is clearly the fault of the murderer (who would no doubt have found means regardless) to push your anti-lockdown message. I genuinely find it baffling and I wonder where your empathy is? It’s clear you’ve struggled with lockdown.”
To which Kirstie responded: “I did no such thing. I responded to a question from Jeremy Vine asking should he tell his daughters not to trust the police. I said they should be powers they could not abuse. It was a response to one person’s question.”
Another added: “Kirstie Allsopp is a disgusting elitist to be using Sarah Everard’s name as a platform to push her views. The likes of @Channel4 or any other channel need to seriously reconsider going near her again for any show.”
“If you use Sarah Everard’s horrific murder to justify your stance against the measures taken to try and minimise the spread and death toll of covid, you are a colossal arsehole and yes I mean you Kirstie Allsopp,” said a third.
Before a fourth fumed: “I absolutely detest cancel culture. The absurdity that you can’t say anything for fear of offending someone is outrageous. However, if we must have cancel culture, can we use it on Kirstie Allsopp for saying #SarahEverard was murdered because of lockdowns?”
While sentencing Couzens to remain behind bars for the rest of his life, Lord Justice Fulford said it was important that the impact of Sarah’s death on her friends and family “must not be forgotten” and added that any sentence he imposed “must be just”.
Justice Fulford added that he was “not in the slightest doubt” that Couzens deliberately used his status as a police officer to prey upon. “an intelligent, talented and much-loved woman”.
He went on to say: “Sarah Everard was a wholly blameless victim of a grotesquely executed series of offences which cumulated in her death.
Daily Star has approached Kirstie Allsopp’s representatives for comment.
If you have been affected by this story, contact Rape Crisis England & Wales for free confidential support and information on 08088029999 or their website or 08088010302 if you’re calling from Scotland.
You can contact the Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline on 0808 802 1414 if you are in Ireland.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk