KATIE HOPKINS has been permanently banned from Twitter after breaking the social media platform’s rules on hate speech.
The far-right commentator’s account, which had over a million followers, was closed following a breach of the site’s regulations around hateful content.
Hopkins, who has sparked controversy down the years with comments on race, religion and immigration - she once told Irish people to “go home” - was the subject of a petition calling from her removal from Twitter.
Over 75,000 people signed the Change.org petition to get her account suspended.
"Unbelievably, Katie Hopkins has been given a platform to insult, abuse and cause outrage for far too long,” the petition reads.
“Attacking victims of Child Sex Exploitation is possibly the most disgusting act that any human can do.
"Does she have no boundaries? The scary thing is, this could happen to her own children right under her nose - being as self-obsessed as she Is, how would she see the signs?
"I think it's about time Twitter took action and removed her from their platform, just as Facebook have done with Britain First.
"Freedom of speech is something I believe in. Freedom of hate speech isn't, I'm sure many people feel the same way."
In a statement, a Twitter spokesperson confirmed that Hopkins’ account had been permanently shut down.
“Keeping Twitter safe is a top priority for us – abuse and hateful conduct have no place on our service and we will continue to take action when our Rules are broken,” the company said.
“In this case, the account has been permanently suspended for violations of our Hateful Conduct policy.”
Twitter’s Hateful Conduct policy prohibits the promotion violence against or directly attacking or threatening people based on race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, age, disability or serious disease.
Recent weeks had seen Hopkins criticised for a series of remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement as well as the UK Government’s decision to offer free meals to children during school holidays.
Back in 2016, Hopkins famously locked horns with Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon during an interview for BBC Three series Close Encounters.
Describing herself as the "Jesus of the outspoken" during the interview, Hopkins warned Scanlon "I'll be very offensive to the Catholic people of Ireland".
She went on to question whether or not we have Marks and Spencers in Ireland.
"As the Jesus of the outspoken I think it's important that I spread my messages whilst I'm still here on earth and one of those messages could be, never wear a legging," she said asking, "If you buy a legging from, say, Marks and Spencers. Do you have Marks and Spencers?"
Unimpressed Scanlon replied, "Yes, we do. We also have electricity."
"So, you're almost civilised but you also like potatoes," said Katie, at which point Angela fired back "We also have manners as well, usually built in..."
Hopkins then questioned why Scanlon chooses to live in the UK.
"You've come to live in England because... you like it better?"
"No, I don't like it better," retorted Scanlon as Hopkins said, "So go home then."
Scanlon had the final word, however, explaining that the UK simply "pays better".
