Hopkins was pictured outside the Spar in the village sporting a pink top with her name printed across the chest in gold, denim shorts, bright orange trainers and sports socks
12:39, 09 Jul 2026Updated 14:14, 09 Jul 2026
Katie Hopkins pictured outside Moygashel Spar(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Right-wing media personality Katie Hopkins has been pictured at the site of the Moygashel bonfire as an effigy of a mosque, and an Islamic terrorist has been placed on top.
The former Apprentice star, who has previously been accused of racism, islamophobia, fat-shaming and classism, is in Northern Ireland where she is set to make three sold-out appearances at the Europa Hotel in Belfast from tonight until Saturday as part of her Free Range stand-up tour.
Hopkins was pictured outside the Spar in the village sporting a pink top with her name printed across the chest in gold, denim shorts, bright orange trainers and sports socks.
Earlier today, the PSNI confirmed that they were aware of the effigy on top of the bonfire and that a 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of contravention of Article 9 of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987. He remains in custody at this time.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has described the bonfire display a “sickening and cowardly act of intimidation”.
In a social media post, Mr Benn said: “The placement of a replica mosque on the Moygashel bonfire is a sickening and cowardly act of intimidation.
An effigy of an Islamic State terrorist inside a mosque was placed on top of the bonfire in Moygashel (Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
“This is not about tradition, and in no way does it represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland.
“We must stand united and completely reject such hatred.”
The Moygashel Bonfire Association has described the bonfire as an act of “political protest” against “uncontrolled illegal mass immigration”.
In a statement on social media, a spokesperson said: “We have noted the predictable fury in respect of the act of political protest at our bonfire site this year.
“It is important to note that our cultural expression- the traditional burning of our bonfire- is a distinct concept from our now traditional act of political protest. In Moygashel, we have a now well-established position of combining both at our yearly event.
“This year, we have focused on an issue of significant public interest. Our display may well shock, offend or outrage others, but nonetheless it is an exercise in our rights under Article 10 of the ECHR, and we note with some irony that it is the ECHR which has so often paved the way for mass illegal immigration and a failure to deport foreign criminals who have come here unlawfully, that also now protects our right to protest in robust terms against that. If there were no uncontrolled illegal mass immigration, we would have no need to protest on this issue.
Katie Hopkins pictured outside Moygashel Spar(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
“Our display expressly does **NOT** target any individual. We make that very clear. Our opposition is not to people, but rather to ideology and Government policy. Once this is appreciated, then it is very clear this is no more and no less than an act of protest, which is lawful protected expression. “
Last month, Hopkins was kicked out of an East London pub during an England World Cup match.
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