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'It's brought the bullies out': Mother of bullied teen Keaton Jones hits back at critics

The mother of Keaton Jones, the Tennessee boy who appeared in a candid video talking about his experience at the hands of bullies, has hit back at critics who have "judged and sentenced" her.

A clip of Keaton detailing how he was abused by bullies was viewed millions of times after his mother Kimberly posted it on social media last weekend.

It sparked a wave of support from celebrities including Justin Bieber, Mark Hamill, Katy Perry and Avengers star Mark Ruffalo who offered Keaton and his mother Kimberley Jones guest spots at a film premiere.

But Ms Jones came under fire when pictures of her holding a Confederate flag surfaced on her Facebook page, and she was accused of racism.

The Confederate flag is controversial as it was historically used by those who supported the continuation of slavery in some US states.

Ms Jones said in an interview with ITV's This Morning: "I've said over and over, I'm an adult, I'm happy with who I am. I'm obviously sorry that it has offended so many people.

"But the backlash to my children... the truth that keeps coming from all of these people that have no idea... I mean, I've been judged and sentenced, my entire family and friends have been judged and sentenced, based on two pictures and people who don't know us, and that's something I would not wish on anybody.

"I mean ... it's a little ironic that it's brought the bullies out."

Keaton, 11, was beside his mother in the interview and told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that he had not returned to school since shooting suddenly to fame last weekend.

The family has firmly denied any allegations of racism.

Ms Jones has also denied trying to "make money" out of her son's plight after a GoFundMe page raising cash for Keaton was shut down.