Ferne McCann has admitted to sending a voice note about an acid attack victim, but insists she did so to protect her family from "serious harm".
Ferne McCann has admitted to sending a 'manipulated' voice note about an acid attack victim to protect her family
The 32-year-old reality TV star has apologised to Sophie Hall, who was a victim of an acid attack by Ferne's ex Arthur Collins - the father of her five-year-old daughter Sunday - after a voice note appeared online of her calling Sophie "ugly".
Ferne has now insisted she does not think Sophie is "ugly or stupid", and claims the voice messages have been "manipulated; edited and taken entirely out of context".
In a statement released on her Instagram account, she said: "I am aware that people will have a number of questions about the voice messages being put into the public domain and purportedly sent by me. I feel I have no choice but to address these (to the extent that I can as there are restrictions on me which I explain below).
"Most importantly I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins abhorrent actions in 2017 that they have to relive that night and the pain that followed because this matter is again in the public domain. In particular I want to apologise to Sophie Hall. I do not believe her to be ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief.
"Arthur Collins’ crimes created genuine victims so I am not trying to portray myself as one."
The former 'TOWIE' star admitted she is unable to "set the record straight at this stage" due to legal proceedings, but insisted she has said things that are "untrue" to protect her family "in the face of significant threats".
She added: "I am unable to say much because there are important and significant legal proceedings that prevent me from setting the record straight at this stage. What I can say is that the voice messages that are being released are manipulated; edited and taken entirely out of context. Even so, I will have said things that are untrue and I did not believe – but I did so to protect my family and myself from serious harm and in the face of significant threats."
Last weekend, Ferne insisted she is the subject of a "harassment campaign designed to intimidate and discredit" her.
A spokesperson for Ferne said: "These voice messages are part of a wider harassment campaign designed to intimidate and discredit Ferne.
"They are subject to an ongoing investigation being carried out by Essex Police.
"As such, Ferne is unable to comment other than to say she offers her deepest sympathies for the distress and hurt this situation is causing Ms Hall."
Sophie has called for Ferne's ITVBe reality show 'First Time Mum' - filming for which has currently been paused - to be axed.
She previously said: "Why should anyone who has been so cruel be given the platform to tear others down?
"ITV don’t just need to take action for my sake, but for other leaked voice notes.
"The ones which were body shaming and so unkind.
Ferne herself has said before that she struggles with her own appearance. So to be commenting on how someone else looks — regardless if it was never meant to be heard — is wrong.
“My friends and family are as horrified as I am. They have been incredibly supportive.
“I would ask Ferne, ‘What have I ever done to you? Why are you targeting me, when all I’ve been trying to do is make a positive out of a terrible and traumatic experience that I sincerely hope no one ever has to go through in their lifetime?’."
Collins is currently serving 20 years in prison for an acid attack at a nightclub in London in April 2017.
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