Charlene White has responded to claims she was 'playing the race card' on Loose Women.
The presenter was back at the helm of the ITV lunchtime show on Tuesday when the panel discussed the Ukraine crisis.
The panellists - including Janet Street Porter, Katie Piper, and Coleen Nolan - were asking how Russia's invasion of Ukraine was 'affecting you'.
Taking her turn to speak, Charlene spoke about reports of Black students being left stranded at the Polish border after suffering racism.
"My heart really does go out to the Ukrainian people and those in the bordering countries doing all they can to try and help them, but [they] will not help anybody whose skin is darker," she said.
"I think that’s a very clear reflection of what it is the world is dealing with – and this isn’t just in Ukraine, this happens in wars the world over, especially when it comes to migrant workers.
"The difference I think this time, is that it’s a younger demographic who are used to posting on TikTok, on Twitter, on Facebook and they’re telling their story."
She added: "There is one thing that has really stuck out to me in the midst of people trying to flee from their homes, trying to dodge bullets, bombs, and bombardment, they still have time for racism."
Janet then interjected and commented that Poland has "exceeded all expectations".
"I hear what you’re saying, and I completely understand it," she said.
"On the news last night, they did show how some of the students talking about how badly they had been treated and the effort it had taken for them to cross the border.
"But I also think that Poland has exceeded all expectations in accepting 150,000 refugees."
The pair then entered into a back and forth over the issue, meanwhile a number of viewers took issue with Charlene’s response and criticised her for "playing the race card".
But she later took to Twitter to clap back at the trolls.
"For those throwing the phrase, 'playing the race card' at me today re @loosewomen… let me be VERY clear," she began.
"You feeling uncomfortable hearing someone talking about race is not my concern, when the concern ought to be directed towards the victims who are subjected to it."
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