The controversial commentator and Sun newspaper columnist, who rose to fame as a contestant on The Apprentice, took to Twitter to suggest that Kate and Gerry McCann's grief was in part down to their own negligence concerning the daughter's disappearance.
Hopkins tweeted "How many more must die before the McCann's accept their negligence is at the heart of all their grief? Enough already." This follows the death 63-year-old Brenda Leyland, whose body was found after she was confronted by a journalist for sending abusive messages aimed at the McCanns via Twitter.
Madeline disappeared in Portugal in May 2007 and while there has never been any evidence to suggest negligence on the part of her parents they have faced criticism for the fact that they left their children in the rented holiday apartment while they went to dinner at a nearby Tapas restaurant.
How many more must die before the McCann's accept their negligence is at the heart of all their grief? Enough already.
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) October 6, 2014
Hopkins was slammed on twitter by, among others, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, who said: "I cannot believe you have just written that. How sad that people are so lacking in compassion."
Believe it - and get over yourself. Plenty think it. Imagine if I left my children alone and went out. Forgiveness? https://t.co/wBxhgiE7pE
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) October 6, 2014
I really do not give one little jot what you think. I don't give offence. You choose to take it. Make better choices.
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) October 6, 2014
Twitter user @K69atie, said: "You don't think the couple feel any guilt ? Of course they do, it 'will' be at the core of their grief."
However, some users of the social media site actually supported Hopkins.
Mike Hoxard said: "With you totally on this one."
Hopkins was unabashed in her response to the criticism, she said: "Believe it - and get over yourself. Plenty think it. Imagine if I left my children alone and went out. Forgiveness?"
Gerry McCann has spoken of the effect internet abuse of he and his wife has had on their lives He told Radio 4: "It has caused the family severe distress. "There is so much vile nonsense on the internet. I think we need more people to be charged. We need to make examples of people causing damage."
