Kirstie Allsopp says the Sunday Times has amended its report of an interview in which she says first time buyers may have to make lifestyle changes in order to afford a home.
Earlier this month Allsopp suggested that more first time buyers may have to give up expensive coffees, Netflix and their gym subscriptions if they wanted to purchase a home - or even consider moving to a cheaper part of the country.
There was outrage on social media at the time with comments such as this from Generation Rent deputy director Dan Wilson Craw tweeting: “Your average 10 per cent deposit increased by £2,450 in the past year. Don't worry though, just cancel your Netflix subscription for the next 20 years and 5 months, and you'll be back on track”
Other critics made personal comments about Allsopp being the daughter of Charles Allsopp, 6th Baron Hindlip, a former chairman of Christie’s.
Kirstie Allsopp strongly defended her comments saying they had been taken out of context.
Now over the weekend she tweeted: "The Sunday Times have reviewed the tape of my interview with them and agreed that I never said I was enraged by people saying they could not afford to buy a home. Both the Sunday Times & Times are removing all references to this statement in their online additions.
"I would be grateful if other publications which repeated this false statement could do the same. The unaffordable nature of homes in many parts of the UK is something that has concerned me for a long time. The impact of this on society as a whole is very serious.
"The premise that I had no sympathy or empathy for those who can’t afford to buy a home was entirely false. It struck at the heart of the work I’ve done for over 22 years, and in our internet age nothing is tomorrow’s chip paper.
"I’m so grateful to @C4Press @IWC_Media @RTRPGlasgow & @ArlingtonTalent for their support. Some of the things said, especially on social media, have been vile. Hopefully it’s possible for everyone to draw a line under this now, let’s put our energy into something more positive."
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Interesting that it's taken so long for this correction - at first, she seemed to double down quite hard on what she'd said.
Good to see she's changed her mind - and, as she says, time for everyone to move on now. Although I'd argue the story did quite quickly become tomorrow's chip paper, as most Twitter storms do.
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