The man behind the Hay Festival has entered a row over the possibility of sensationalist commentator Katie Hopkins speaking in Welsh schools.
Peter Florence, the director of the Hay Festival, said teachers could bring their pupils to the event for free and shared an article about Hopkins’ schools speaking tour. He said: "Our children deserve better, deserve truth, deserve real heroes. #ffs."
Daily Mail columnist Ms Hopkins is promoting a series of events called the Stand Strong School Tour, starting in November, and has said she is due to speak in schools in Wales.
The former reality TV contestant has been criticised for comments including comparing migrants to cockroaches and left her job with broadcaster LBC after calling for "final solution" following the Manchester Arena terrorist attack.
Mr Florence shared an article stating Ms Hopkins is due to speak at schools in Wales and posted to his Facebook page: "If there are any schoolteachers in Wales who’d like to bring their students to the Hay Festival for free to hear Owen Sheers, Helena Kennedy, Laura Bates or Gillian Clarke please contact me and I’ll sort it. Our children deserve better, deserve truth, deserve real heroes. #ffs #checksdate #nopedefinitelynotAprilFool."
Ms Hopkins has today been using her @KTHopkins Twitter account to share articles about her planned speaking tour in Wales and respond to criticism from Welsh education secretary Kirsty Williams.
The Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrat AM urged schools not to book the columnist.
She said: "Orwell said that sometimes the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of the intelligent. Katie Hopkins is unelected, unpleasant and needs PR and reaction to thrive. No proof that she will speak in Welsh schools. When they go low, we should go high. Much better speakers available through @speakrs4schools."
Ms Hopkins responded on Twitter, writing: "Thanks to the Welsh Education Secretary for her warm welcome. In Wales school speakers must be elected. Apparently."