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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

Charity boss steps down after Buckingham Palace race row - but blasts unapologetic royals

Ngozi Fulani spoke out to say Buckingham Palace has still not issued her a personal apology after she was at the centre of a race row at the end of last year.

The charity boss said she is now stepping down from her organisation Sistah Space, as she detailed the online abuse she suffered after speaking out, but maintained she did not regret doing so.

Ms Fulani, who appeared on Good Morning Britain alongside her daughter on Wednesday morning, was subjected to racist remarks from Lady Susan Hussey at a palace event, prompting the Lady of the Household to quit her honorary role at the time.

Lady Susan, 83, is now back working with the royals just three months after Ms Fulani shared she was repeatedly asked where she was “really from” at a November reception highlighting violence against women and girls.

Following the allegations, Buckingham Palace released a statement condemning the "unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments" and confirmed the aide had "stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect."

Ms Fulani has now said she has still not received a personal apology (ITV)

However, Ms Fulani has now said she has still not received a personal apology from Buckingham Palace after she was forced to stop working due to safety concerns.

Co-hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid noted that the palace has issued a fresh statement overnight, as Richard read: “For the avoidance of any doubt, we are deeply sorry for the incident that took place and apologise for the distress and difficulty it caused to Ms Fulani,” before he asked why it was ‘not enough’.

Ms Fulani simply replied: “Who are they apologising to? If you’re sorry, tell me you’re sorry. If you’re not, it speaks for itself.”

She explained: “The apology has gone to the public. It has not come to me. The first time I appeared on your show, you asked if I had received an apology.

Lady Susan Hussey sat down with Ngozi Fulani in December (Royal Communications via Getty I)

“The answer was no. The answer is still no. It seems like they’re apologising to the public.”

She continued: “If I attend a space at your invitation and something happens, as the host I would expect you to apologise.

“The apology has gone to everywhere else. Everyone can see how my life was changed afterwards. I don’t even know the scale of it, because the community has been amazing.”

Ms Fulani detailed the online abuse she suffered after speaking out (ITV)

Richard asked whether she would accept an apology if the palace issued one after her appearance on Good Morning Britain, to which she said: “If you have to ask somebody for an apology it is not an apology.”

She added: “I don’t see what is so hard to say ‘I’m sorry’. You sent me an invitation so you know where to find me.

“When you make this apology to everybody, I don't know who you’re apologising to.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.

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