Rachel Riley apologises over ‘misunderstandings’ after Channel 4 urged to sack presenter following ‘Islamophobic’ remarks -Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Rachel Riley has said sorry over a tweet about the knife rampage in Australia (Picture: Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)

Rachel Riley has apologised for a now-deleted tweet about the Sydney mall stabbing that was accused of perpetuating Islamophobia.

There were calls on social media for Channel 4 to sack the Countdown presenter, 38, after she falsely claimed the horror attack was a Palestinian uprising.

The horrific rampage, that killed six people on Saturday, was carried out by Joel Cauchi, 40, from Queensland, who police said suffered from mental health problems.

After deleting the original tweet, which said the shopping mall attack was the result of a ‘globalised Infitada’, Riley issued a statement on X and said she was ‘sorry’ if her message had been ‘misunderstood’.

‘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,’ she began

The former Strictly Come Dancing star continued: ‘At the time we did not know who the attacker was, and as such I made no reference.

There have been calls for Channel 4 to sack Riley (Picture: Channel 4)

‘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.

Cauchi was killed after going on a knife rampage in a shopping mall (Picture: Queensland Police)

‘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.’

Her apology came after she sparked mass outrage on X and was accused of writing a racist statement about the Sydney stabbing.

In the now-deleted tweet, she wrote: ‘For 6 months now, people have been out on our streets proudly calling for the “Intifada Revolution.”

‘If you want to know what “Globalised Intifada” looks like, see the Sydney Mall.

‘5 victims stabbed to death and 8 transferred to hospital, including a baby, due to one man and a knife.

‘In the second intifada over 1,000 Israelis were murdered in restaurants, on buses and in the streets by suicide bombings, stabbings, stoning, lynching, shooting rockets. The youngest victim was just 9 hours old.

‘Sydney mall, multiple times over is what they’ve been proudly calling for.’

Riley later deleted the tweet and issued an apology (Picture: Dave Bennet/Getty)

The tweet sparked mass outrage on social media, with @TocquevilleJnr among those who called her comments racist and demanded her employer, Channel 4, take action.

They wrote: ‘Dear Alex Mahon, CEO of publicly owned @Channel4. Is it right that a regular contributor to your station (Ms Rachel Riley) is IMO so outrageously divisive, hateful & racist ? Based on a complete falsehood.
This person should NOT be a role model on our MSM @krishgm.’

@DazzyBroad added: ‘Hi @Channel4 @8Outof10Cats Rachel Riley’s @RachelRileyRR racism is unacceptable to me.’

Echoing their sentiments, @MirabelTweets1 said: ‘Where’s your apology @RachelRileyRR ? Islamophobic to its core @Channel4 – you need to consider whether Rachel Riley represents your values.’

Cauchi was killed by a police officer during his knife rampage at the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction in the east of Sydney.

In a statement released through Queensland Police, the Cauchi family said: ‘We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.

‘Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened.

‘He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.’

They added: ‘We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others, and we hope she is coping alright.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Channel 4 for comment.

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