The Apprentice’s Lottie Lion denies allegations of homophobia and transphobia
"I'm rooting for Caitlyn Jenner currently on 'I'm A Celebrity'."
By Will Stroude
The Apprentice‘s Lottie Lion has found herself embroiled in a fresh row about offensive language, just weeks after denying that she was racist after it emerged she had referred to Lubna Farhan as “Gandhi”.
The divisive entrepreneur, who had made it the the final five of the BBC business competition, refuted allegations that she is homophobic and transphobic as she sat down for an interview with The Sun’s Dan Wooton this week.
Lion, 20, who previously claimed she called Farhan ‘Gandhi’ on a WhatsApp group because the phrase had previously been used in their conversation, was asked about claims she said trans women would not be allowed in the ladies’ club she belongs to.
Apprentice firebrand Lottie Lion fights back against false claims of racism, homophobia and transphobia. She claims she’s been driven to depression after the BBC targeted her because she is a “strong conservative woman” https://t.co/nDcRqXVWtl pic.twitter.com/o2GBTWJbbl
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) December 5, 2019
“I said they would absolutely be able to put in an application, but I will judge them based on the criteria every other woman has to meet”, Lion said. “Are they into shooting? Are they into riding? Are they they partaking in a countryside lifestyle?
Asked whether she had a personal problem with trans people, the businesswoman replied: “Absolutely not. Absolutely no problem. In fact I’m rooting for Caitlyn Jenner currently on I’m A Celebrity…”
Lion was also asked about claims she referred to two of her co-stars on The Apprentice, Mark-Ryan and Riyonn, as “the short gay” and “the tall gay”.
“It wasn’t derogatory whatsoever. It certainly wasn’t me who started that name”, Lion responded.
“Of course I called them that because we all did.”
She added: “If they had a problem with being called ‘the short gay one’ and ‘the tall gay one’ they would have had issues with everybody, not just me.”
The Apprentice continues next Thursday 12 December at 9pm on BBC One.