British journalist accused of racism after linking Pakistani men to sex abuse

Journalist entered into Twitter row with Labour MP who attend a flag raising ceremony on Pakistan Day in Rochdale

Known for her controversial views on a number of topics, a British tabloid journalist has been reported to the police after equating Pakistani men with child abusers.

The Sun columnist Katie Hopkins caused a storm on Twitter for possible race hate crimes and was reported to the police by Labour MP Simon Danczuk, who represents Rochdale.

The Labour MP claimed Katie associated Pakistanis with sexual abuse of minors in a series of Twitter messages.

The move follows a prolonged row between the MP and television presenter over his decision to attend the raising of Pakistan’s flag to mark Pakistan Day on March 23.

Lambasting Danczuk for attending the ceremony, Hopkins said it was ‘outrageous’ to raise the Pakistani flag in Rochdale, according to the Guardian.

In 2012, nine men, including eight Pakistanis, from Lancashire were jailed for their part in a child sexual exploitation ring.

Infuriated, Hopkins tweeted: “Are these your friends too ‪@SimonDanczuk? Is this why you are raising the Pakistani flag in Rochdale? 77 years inside.”

https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/580137045663830017

Responding to her, Danczuk said, “Rochdale has a proud history of coming together to mark special days in different cultures, from St Patrick’s Day to the Ukrainian Holodomor, and our town will not take any lessons from Katie Hopkins on community cohesion. She has waded into something she doesn’t understand and her ignorance is extremely dangerous.”

“I don’t think we should beat about the bush here, Katie Hopkins is inciting racial hatred,” he added.

The flag was raised over Rochdale town hall for less than half an hour, according to Danczuk’s aide.

Afterwards, the MP posted a photo of himself on Twitter with two Pakistanis at the ceremony.

Pakistan flag raising in #Rochdale today. Lovely occasion. Here with Mr Darr & Hafiz Ikram - good friends. pic.twitter.com/rZYjBXx5XT

— Simon Danczuk (@SimonDanczuk) March 23, 2015

Another post, which has been reported to the police, said: “Your Pakistani friends saw young white girls as fair game when they abused them. Do NOT lecture me on community cohesion fool.”

https://twitter.com/kthopkins/status/580131512072462337

Another tweet stated, “Raising a Pakistani flag in Rochdale is not helping community cohesion. it is inflammatory. ‪@SimonDanczuk you & your party disgust me.”

Danczuk’s office said he sent a complaint to the office of Greater Manchester’s police commissioner, Tony Lloyd, on Sunday.

Since the row began, Danczuk claims to have received threats and a petition has been launched calling for the flag to be taken down.

Refusing to let go of the topic, she further tweeted, “Writing my column today....hmm....@SimonDanczuk are we looking forward to Friday? I'd stick a Pakistani flag on your head and stay in bed.”

https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/580999912180994048

This article originally appeared on The Guardian