The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider a contribution or subscription.
The Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt has defended Marcus Rashord from the criticism of Katie Hopkins on social media, after she attacked his campaign to ensure free meals for disadvantaged children in England this summer.
Rashford called on the government to ensure its policy of free meal vouchers for struggling families during the coronavirus pandemic continued into the school holidays. Having doubled down on the policy’s end date on Monday, Boris Johnson made a U-turn on Tuesday and announced meal vouchers would be available through the summer.
Hopkins, an infamously provocative right-wing commentator, criticised the campaign by suggesting taxpayer money should not go towards feeding hungry children.
Download the new Independent Premium app
Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
“Dear @MarcusRashford,” Hopkins tweeted. “Do you think women should think about how they are going to feed a child before they decide to have it? I do not want to pay to feed other people’s kids. You are welcome to. Thank you, Katie Hopkins.”
While Manchester United and England forward Rashford ignored Hopkins, Van Aanholt soon responded. “He’s done more for this country in 24hours than you have your entire life,” the Dutch defender tweeted. ”Bow before a king.”
The interaction between Van Aanholt and Hopkins is the latest in several feisty exchanges. Earlier this month, in response to the social media trend #BlackOutTuesday supporting the global Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd, Hopkins tweeted: “Today is #whiteoutwednesday. I will shortly be posting a picture of my arse. Thank you.”
Van Aanholt tweeted in response: “I don’t know who she is but WOW…2020 needs to cancel you,” to which Hopkins replied that she was a “white Christian Conservative”, adding: “You May kneel and kiss my ring.”
Hopkins found fame on the 2007 edition of the reality TV show The Apprentice, and went on to make out a career out of outrageous and often offensive comments as a columnist and radio presenter. She left LBC Radio in 2017 shortly after calling for a “final solution” following the Manchester Arena bombing. She lost a libel case brought by the writer Jack Monroe the same year, and sold her house in order to pay £24,000 in damages and £107,000 in legal costs.
Rashford, 22, recently won an award from the high sheriff of Greater Manchester for “for outstanding activity and contribution to the community”, recognising his “altruistic acts of thoughtfulness and kindness during the Covid-19 pandemic”. He partnered with FareShare to help the food distribution charity raise £20m, which went towards providing three million meals a week to vulnerable people during lockdown.
“Just at look at what we can do when we come together,” he tweeted after the government announced its intention to implement his proposal.
