The Only Way is Essex star Ferne McCann has issued a statement after being accused of sending a "disgusting" voice note about her ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins' acid attack victim, Sophie Hall. Earlier this year, the reality TV personality and presenter, 32, came under fire after she allegedly called Hall a "silly b***h" and "ugly" for wearing a papier mache dress made of newspaper cuttings for a beauty pageant.
Now, in a statement shared with her 2.9 million Instagram followers, Ferne 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's 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."
Ferne continued: "Arthur Collins' crimes created genuine victims so I am not trying to portray myself as one. 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."
The Mirror reports how the former TOWIE star, who appeared on the show between 2013-2016, then admitted: "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."
The voice note Ferne was accused of, said: "She'll probably win it I'm not gonna lie. Only because the event and the award she's entered or beauty competition, whatever it is, they're probably loving all this free press for their event. So they'll probably fix it, she'll win it. She is one ugly f***ing c***."
Sophie Hall was one of 14 people who were injured by Ferne's ex Collins in the acid attack. He is currently serving 20 years in prison. Speaking about Ferne's alleged voice notes to The Sun, Hall said: "Why should anyone who has been so cruel be given the platform to tear others down?" Essex Police confirmed last month that they had been in contact with Ferne after she made a complaint regarding the Instagram account.
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