Kirstie Allsopp takes break from Twitter after controversial homeworkers post

Kirstie Allsopp has said she is taking a break from Twitter after sparking a backlash with a tweet about homeworkers getting back to the office.

The Location, Location, Location star triggered a debate when she suggested that workers at home because of the coronavirus pandemic should be rushing to return to their offices as soon as they could, warning that bosses could choose to hire cheaper employees from abroad.

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“If I had an office job I’d want to be first in the queue to get back to work and prove my worth to my employer,” she wrote.

The post sparked anger online and Allsopp has now said it was “not worth the hassle”.

“I was worried that people were going to lose their jobs, God only knows why I bothered,” she said.

“That’s the last time I attempt to alert anyone to a potentially lethal situation, it’s not worth the hassle.

“I’m taking a break from this toxic environment.

“There are nicer places to be.”

Allsopp warned in her original post: “If your job can be done from home it can be done from abroad where wages are lower. If I had an office job I’d want to be first in the queue to get back to work and prove my worth to my employer.

“I am terrified by what could be on the horizon for so many.”

Some people agreed and said she was “spot on” but others said the TV personality knew nothing of “real work” and questioned what qualified her to give her opinion on the subject.

“I have been working from home since April. I have doing all the same duties at home as I would do in an office. My productivity is better at home as no distractions, no commuting. I think you are out of order,” tweeted one person.

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“I find people love being lectured by a rich woman who doesn’t have an office job,” said another. “I should add @Channel4 I am more than capable and happy to do Kirsty's (sic) job, from my home for half what you pay her.”

The star was also accused of “scaremongering”, but responded: “People scaremongering about Covid all day long, if I’m terrified of the economic damage I think it’s important to say so.”