Ferne McCann has broken her silence after being accused of sending voice notes about acid attack victim Sophie Hall. The Only Way Is Essex star has released a statement to her 2.9m Instagram followers confirming she has apologised to Sophie.
McCann, 32, admitted she said "things that are untrue" - although claimed it was out of fear - in the apology after an anonymous Instagram account accused her of behind the voice behind a recording about Sophie.
The statement was released on Tuesday night, after she was claimed to have called Ms Hall, who was scarred for life during the acid attack by McCann's ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins at a London nightspot in 2017, a "silly b***h" and "ugly" for wearing a papier-mache dress for a beauty pageant., writes The Mirror.
McCann has now said she does not believe Ms Hall is "ugly or stupid" and insists the voice notes were heavily edited in an attempt to discredit her and her reputation.
In the statement, 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'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."
McCann 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.
"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."
In recent weeks, an Instagram account has been leaking voice notes allegedly sent by McCann, with her most recent discussing Ms Hall.
She was one of 14 people who were injured by McCann’s ex Collins in the acid attack. He is currently serving 20 years in prison.
The user alleged McCann was the voice behind the voice note which 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***.”
Although, there is no suggestion that the competition was fixed, or that the organisers had interfered. Ms Hall didn’t win.
Essex Police confirmed last month that they had been in contact with Ferne regarding the Instagram account.
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