Australia orders deportation of Katie Hopkins for flouting quarantine rules

Right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins is to be deported from Australia after a “shameful” boast about breaking Covid-19 quarantine measures while in the country to appear on Big Brother VIP.

The former Apprentice star arrived in the country last week and was immediately placed under two weeks of quarantine in a government-mandated hotel, as part of the nation’s pandemic regulations.

But over the weekend, the 46-year-old reportedly said, in a since-deleted Instagram live video, that she was deliberately disobeying quarantine rules by taunting guards and opening her hotel room door without a mask.

The regulations state that people in quarantine are not permitted to open their door until 30 seconds after their meals have been delivered, and must wear masks when their doors are open.

Hopkins’s comments sparked outrage as Australia battles a Covid surge which has led to its two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, being placed into lockdown.

Her arrival had already created a backlash, as it came after the government last week halved the number of Australian citizens and permanent residents permitted to return home each week to 3,000.

It claimed that the move, which has left more than 34,000 Australians stranded overseas, was an aim to reduce the risk of Covid-19 leaking from hotel quarantine.

Katie Hopkins was reportedly due to be deported from Australia on Monday (Danny Lawson/AP)
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Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews said on Monday that Hopkins would be deported for her “appalling” behaviour, which also led Big Brother producers to condemn her actions and confirm she would not take part in the show.

“It’s appalling that this individual behaved the way that she did and she will be leaving,” Ms Andrews told Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“We will be getting her out of the country as soon as we can arrange that.

“The fact that she was out there boasting about breaching quarantine was just appalling.

“It was a slap in the face for all those Australians who are currently in lockdown and it’s just unacceptable behaviour.”

Australian media reported Hopkins would leave the country on Monday.

The Seven Network – which airs Big Brother VIP in Australia – confirmed on Sunday that Hopkins would not feature in the forthcoming season.

Australia’s immigration minister Alex Hawke on Sunday said the country’s border force had launched an investigation.

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